FISHERS, Ind. (March 6, 2015)– A rumored “act of violence” at school put parents and students on high alert Friday. Administrators cancelled a planned schoolwide pep rally at Hamilton Southeastern High School, citing the rumors spreading on social media.
“I got a phone call from the principal,” parent Heidi Bennett said.
Bennett and other parents learned that the possible threat scared students enough for the district to postpone the event, as they worked with police to try to identify its source.
“This sort of stuff is happening more and more often these days and I think they handled it the right way,” Bennett said.
One student told FOX59 that the decision happened as kids were already being dismissed early from class to get ready for the rally.
“They cut off the announcement for who they wanted to dismiss, then they had another announcement on the PA saying they were cancelling,” that student, who FOX59 did not identify, said.
The district sent the following statement:
“The pep session planned for this afternoon at Hamilton Southeastern High School has been postponed due to rumored reports of an act of violence that was to occur at the rally. Fishers Police Department and HSE administration have been unable to confirm the rumors, but due to the elevated anxiety stoked by social media, HSE administration and FPD felt it was in the best interest of students and families to postpone the event.
Please know that at no time was the safety of students and staff compromised. In order to ease the fear of students, there will be increased police presence at dismissal today.”
Parents and students told FOX59 they were glad the school called off the rally and took the safe route, even if it was not a direct threat.
“I’d rather them be safe than sorry when it comes to kids,” parent Andrea Cox said.
“I’m glad they cancelled it,” a student said.
