Dear Riverhead Community,
The district has been made aware of the unspecified social media threats circulating communities nationwide alleging an impending school attack on Friday, December 17, 2021. It is important to note that these postings do not reference a specific school(s), but rather are more general in nature.
From what we have been told, these threats are being shared through TikTok videos and are beginning to cause concern in many communities, as they are being repeatedly reposted in local chat groups or social media pages, leaving many to perceive that there is a local threat.
Although the district has not been informed of any specific threat to the Riverhead Central School District at this time, please know that we take the safety and well-being of our students and staff very seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, we have been in contact with the Riverhead and Southampton Police Departments and been told that they are aware of the national issue. Please be assured that our district, in partnership with local law enforcement, will remain extra vigilant in all our safety efforts tomorrow as well as in the days, weeks and months to come. We will continue to monitor this situation and provide you with any updates should they become available.
In the meantime, I encourage our families to speak with their children about the proper use of social media and not sharing images/postings on various platforms that have not been properly vetted. Instead, all are reminded that if you see, hear or learn or something concerning to report that to the district, police or a trusted adult immediately. The district will fully investigate all reports made and no piece of information is too small.
Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Dr. Augustine E. Tornatore,
Superintendent of Schools