Dear Savannah R3 Families and Community,
Recently, there have been several rumors circulating on social media regarding potential threats to schools across the region. While none of these threats have been credible, a few were rumored to affect our own schools. We understand that these situations can cause stress for students, families, and staff, even when they are based on misinformation. I want to assure you that all reports involving Savannah R3 have been thoroughly investigated and found to be unsubstantiated.
Our students and staff's safety and security will always be our top priority. Each day, multiple safety protocols are implemented to help ensure a secure environment for everyone on campus:
Secure Entrances: All visitors must check in at the main office and show identification before being allowed into the building.
Emergency Drills and Plans: The district provides safety training to all staff before each school year and conducts regular emergency drills for students throughout the year.
Monitoring Technology: We utilize tools like GoGuardian to monitor district-issued devices for any potentially concerning content.
Locked Exterior Doors: All exterior and interior doors remain locked during the school day to maintain secure access to the building and our classrooms.
Police Presence: While we do not currently have school resource officers, we have a close relationship with local law enforcement agencies. We have partnered with these agencies to increase law enforcement presence across our district, especially during our annual homecoming celebrations. These officers, both uniformed and in plain clothes, are regularly present in drop-off lines, in the cafeterias, and walking around our campuses. In fact, many of them are SR3 parents and community members who have the same vested interest in school safety that you do.
Our primary focus remains on the safety protocols we have in place, but it’s also important to address the role social media plays in these situations. In recent weeks, rumors about potential threats have spread quickly on platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. While these rumors have been thoroughly investigated and found to be baseless, the spread of false information can create unnecessary panic and stress within our community.
We ask that if you come across a social media post that raises concerns, please do not forward or repost it. Instead, take a screenshot and share it with school administrators or the police. This helps us investigate efficiently and prevents the spread of misinformation. Sharing unverified information can delay law enforcement’s ability to address real concerns and may distract from other safety efforts.
We understand that situations like this can create anxiety, and many families may seek more detailed information even when rumors have been discredited. However, when a threat involves a student, we are legally restricted from sharing specific details. The school district must comply with privacy laws such as FERPA, which protect minors and ensure sensitive information is handled appropriately.
Your trust in our District and local law enforcement agencies is greatly appreciated as we balance transparency with our legal responsibility to protect student privacy. We encourage you to speak with your children about the importance of reporting any threatening or unsafe behavior to a trusted adult, whether it occurs in school, online, or elsewhere. Early reporting is one of the most effective ways to keep our schools safe.
We also want to remind you of the Courage2Report tool, where students, parents, or staff can submit safety concerns online. You can access this form here: Courage2Report. A link to the online form can also be found on the district’s website under the families tab: savannahr3.com.
Thank you for your continued support and trust. Together, we will maintain a safe and secure learning environment for all.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brian Hansen
Superintendent
Savannah R3 Schools