Superintendent's Message September 17, 2021 Tik Tok Challenge

 

September 17, 2021

Superintendent’s  Message: Tik Tok Challenge

Dear FPS families,

We know that Tik Tok is a popular app with our students.  When used safely and responsibly, it can be a fun, creative outlet for tweens and teens.   However, like many social media apps, Tik Tok is also a source of viral "challenges,"  in which users share videos of themselves performing pranks or stunts.  The latest Tik Tok challenge involves students sharing videos of damage done to school property.

While this has been reported on as a national trend, I am sorry to say that it has reached our Fairfield Public Schools community.  Student vandalism of school bathrooms has occurred in our middle and high schools.  Needless to say, vandalism of school property will not be tolerated.

To date, all incidents have been investigated and those involved have been disciplined, including detentions, restorative measures, and paying for repairs and/or replacement.  Our building administrators have addressed this with their respective student bodies and we appreciate how many responsible students are stepping up and calling out those involved. 

Now we are asking for your help.  Please talk to your kids and let them know that this is not a harmless prank, but destruction of school property that has very serious consequences.

I have included some links below from Common Sense Media to provide additional information about Tik Tok specifically, and viral internet challenges in general.

Please direct any further questions or concerns to  your school administrator or counselor.  As always, we appreciate your support.

Take care,

Mike

Mike Cummings
Superintendent of Schools

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/parents-ultimate-guide-to-tiktok 

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/viral-youtube-challenges-internet-stunts-popular-with-kids