Dear Whitko Staff, Parents, and Community,

Whitko experienced two school threats this week. 

Tuesday was a substantial local situation that made our school closing necessary.  The person who made threats was located later that morning.  Keeping students at home was the best course of action for that situation.  Our local authorities did their job and worked well with the school to keep your children safe.  I am sorry that the day was disrupted for parents, children, and the school staff. 

Thursday brought an internet threat that was sent nationally on social media.  We researched the online threats of violence and found that the threats were nothing to do with our school.  Our police departments monitored our buildings that day.  As always, safety protocols and safety equipment are in place at all of our buildings.  Our school resource officer is here daily.

We will continue to take all threats seriously and watch any activity closely in partnership with the South Whitley and Pierceton Police Departments, along with Whitley and Kosciusko Sheriff Departments. 

I encourage parents to take this opportunity to closely monitor your child’s social media activity and to remind them that inappropriate comments about threats of violence on social media can have serious consequences.

Please remember that if you see something, you should say something.  Concerns can be reported to local law enforcement or school leaders.

I appreciate your support as we work together to keep our children, schools, and community safe.

Tom Edington

Interim Superintendent

Whitko Community Schools