CISD PD declares threat ‘not credible’
Principal warns parents to verify social media posts before acting
Photo: Clover Plaugher | The Prowler
Parents pulled their children from school after a threat circulated late Thursday night.
Oct 26, 2018
After much rumor and students leaving school early, Caney Creek High School sent an email to parents declaring the perceived threats were deemed “not credible.”
According to an email from Principal Dr. Jeff Stichler, the Conroe ISD Police department investigated the rumors that went around social media late Thursday night.
As you know, there have been many rumors circulating on social media … Each rumor has been investigated … and determined to not be credible. — Principal Dr. Jeff Stichler
“As you know, there have been many rumors circulating on social media about something bad happening at Caney Creek High School,” Stichler wrote. “Each rumor has been investigated by campus administration in collaboration with the Conroe ISD Police Department and determined to not be credible.
“Given the pervasiveness of the rumors, our campus has made several adjustments to assist our students in feeling safe and comfortable as well as helping them have a successful day at school.”
Stichler wrote those adjustments to the day included a modified lunch schedule and cancelling the planned pep rally. School was dismissed at 2:35 p.m. as normal.
Parents began signing out students from class due to a threat that circulated social media. Lines of cars stretched out of the front of the parent drop-off and a longer line of parents led out of the front door of the school waiting to pick students up.
According to a screenshot obtained by The Prowler, the threat involved a fight between two groups of students.
“If you know anybody that is in Caney Creek you might want to let them know either don’t go to school or something because my stepmom and another person just told me that there is going to be a Mexican vs white tomorrow that the Mexicans…,” the message said in part.
The police found the threats to be unsubstantiated.
An email sent to parents on Thursday assured parents that the police were investigating the threats.
“The Conroe ISD Police Department along with our administrative team take any rumored threats very seriously and do everything possible to make sure Caney Creek High School and Conroe ISD are safe,” Stichler’s email said Thursday.
He also noted that the school was providing additional police officers on campus throughout the day.
In the first of the three emails sent to parents Thursday, Stichler addressed a fight between two students that included a calligraphy pen taken from an art class.
“Campus personnel intervened immediately to separate the students and medical attention was sought,” Stichler wrote. “This matter is being addressed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.”
It’s unclear whether this fight started the eventual rumors.
In the most recent email, Stichler reminded parents to be wary of what they read on social media platforms.
“We would like to remind everyone to verify information prior to passing it along whether it be shared via social media or text,” he wrote. “We ask that you have a conversation with your students this evening about the issues of misinformation on social media, but also reinforce the importance of reporting suspected dangers to the appropriate authorities.”
Individuals are recommended to make reports to the Conroe ISD Police Dispatch at 936-709-8911 or anonymously at 1-888-KidChat (543-2428).
To learn more on safety information, visit https://www.conroeisd.net/about/safety-information/.
Pissed Mom • Oct 28, 2018 at 12:10 am
Not credible?!?!?!? My daughter was there the entire day. She SAW kids get arrested for knives and even one with a damned gun. I am sick of this crap being covered up by this school. If its not bullying, its drugs, and now this crap. I am about to pull her from the school and homeschool her.
Sandra • Oct 26, 2018 at 5:15 pm
As a parent, I did not panic. I did not dare spread the word on social media either. My main concern was how long it was taking parents to get their kids. I expected more organization. If I had felt real threat, i would have been a mess.
Kassandra ryan • Oct 26, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Caney Creek has never done anything about bullying. I left this school because of this issue. I had to protect myself along with some family because this school never did anything about protecting their students or trying to prevent bullying. The kid got stabbed Thursday! Not hit with a pen from art. He was stabbed 3 times in his back! I hope parents sue the school. And I will be calling Monday to give the principal a piece of my mind about how he has done nothing to prevent this or protect these kids.
Mom • Oct 26, 2018 at 3:51 pm
So you guys acted immediately but the austisic kid had time to get stabbed three times in the back, the fight went on for over five minutes! I doubt this was immediately! Gun threats and I have heard from plenty of students there has been alot of fights that went on this week! This race issue and all this hate has to stop!! Expell these kids that are being bully’s, get rid of them!!! And why on earth is an austisic kid getting stabbed??????