HMS Safety and Security Update
Dear Holly Middle School Families,
At Holly Area Schools, we are committed to encouraging safe, responsible use of social media.
It has recently come to our attention that a series of fake and/or imposter Snapchat accounts using Holly Middle School students' names was discovered over the weekend.
The messages from these accounts include inappropriate statements, including derogatory, inciting, racist, and offensive language. The messages included threatening statements against the school and a threat against another student over the weekend. We have provided all of the information shared with the school district to law enforcement to support their investigation into the matter.
This concern originated on Friday. However, law enforcement was not contacted until Monday, when the school district was notified and as a result involved Holly PD. It is critical that parents contact law enforcement when they or their child has observed online activity involving a crime, threat, stalking, impersonation, exploitation, extortion, hacking, or another serious cyber concern.
Please provide law enforcement with screenshots, usernames, dates, times, and the complete context of communications, as they have the legal authority and technical/forensics capability to investigate anonymous or false accounts, trace IP addresses, obtain records from social media companies, and investigate potential cybercrimes. Students should NOT engage with anyone on social media who is acting inappropriately and/or making threatening statements.
As a school, we work collaboratively with law enforcement and support their investigations regarding online behavior that may be affecting your child at school. When you contact the school, please provide the school administrator with the law enforcement agency and officer you spoke with so that we can assist and/or partner with the investigation. The school will respond within the authority and policies of the school district. Please see contact information below.
- Holly Police Department: 248-634-8221
- Oakland County Sheriff’s Department (Springfield Township Substation): 248-625-8531
- White Lake Police Department: 248-698-4400
- Michigan State Police: 248-584-5740
If there is an immediate threat or emergency, call 911.
Over the past several years, Holly Area Schools has shared information with families about social media, cyberbullying, online safety, and the importance of monitoring children's use of personal electronic devices. As social media continues to evolve, we want to ask for your partnership again.
Many of the concerns that eventually find their way into our schools begin outside of school through Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, group chats, text messages, gaming platforms, and anonymous or false accounts. Hurtful comments, rumors, threats, inappropriate images, fake accounts, and conflicts that begin online can quickly affect relationships at school and take valuable time and attention away from our primary purpose—teaching and learning.
Please do not wait until there is a problem to become familiar with your child's online activity. We cannot eliminate every challenge associated with social media, but together we can teach our children how to use technology safely, responsibly, and respectfully. Please talk with your child and know which platforms they use, who they communicate with, and what they are posting and sharing. Verify that their age and privacy settings are accurate and monitor their activity. Reinforce appropriate expectations and help children develop responsible digital habits.
The Michigan State Police/OK2SAY program provides additional online-safety resources for parents, including information about cyberbullying, social media, online threats, and resources for individual platforms. (michigan.gov)
Please know that in addition to law enforcement consequences, inappropriate social media activities can carry serious school disciplinary consequences, up to suspension and expulsion.
We will provide updates on the law enforcement investigation as information becomes available and appropriate to share.
Collectively, we all have a responsibility in modeling appropriate social media behavior for our Broncho students. As it is stated in each student parent handbook, our student, school, parent, and community partnerships shall be based on civility, the act of showing mutual respect toward one another. Social media interactions should be conducted in a responsible manner that reflects the highest standards of honesty, respect, and consideration of others. Posts and comments should build and support a positive school community.
Thank you for taking an active role in your child's online life and for your continued partnership in helping us keep our Bronchos safe—at school, throughout our community, and online.
Sincerely,
Scott M. Roper, Superintendent
Holly Area Schools