Anchorage School District cautions parents to not share unverified threats on social media

After a social media threat incident gave a scare to families with students who attend Bartlett High School, the Anchorage School District has sent a note to families in the district, imploring them to not share potential threats online.

The threat was perceived to pertain to Bartlett, but may have originated from out of state and may have related to a different school. It also may have been a false threat. Whichever the case, it caused the principal of Bartlett to call for more safety officer presence on Monday.

“In recent weeks, school districts across the country, including the Anchorage School District (ASD), have faced an alarming number of false threats that have disrupted school operations and caused unnecessary fear within our communities. ASD and our partners in local law enforcement are committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff, and we take all threats seriously. We are urging parents and students to be vigilant and mindful of how they handle potential threats,” the school district wrote to parents.

If you come across a potential threat, please include the following information when you report it to your school or the Anchorage Police Department, the district said:

• Identify the social media platform where the threat was posted.
• Record the date, time, and account name.
• Capture screenshots if available and note any witnesses.
• Detail the date of the alleged threat, the nature of the threat, and any specific schools or individuals mentioned.

The school district asked people to not repost the threat-related content on social media but to notify authorities so they can see if the threat has credibility.

How to Report Threats:

• Contact APD immediately for urgent or imminent threats by calling 9-1-1.
• Use STOPiT, the district’s anonymous reporting tool.
• Students and parents are encouraged to report concerns to their teachers or principals.

“In order to effectively utilize school district and law enforcement resources, we ask parents to monitor their children’s social media accounts to ensure that students report concerns directly to the school or to law enforcement and not repost them on social media or share with classmates,” the district’s letter to parents stated.

Parents were also encouraged to have ongoing conversations with their children about responsible use of social media, including:

• The importance of not sharing or reposting unverified information.
• Reporting any concerning content directly to adults, school officials, or law enforcement.
• Understanding that threats, even those made in jest, are serious and can have severe legal consequences.