There was no gun brought to Rockdale Junior-High School last week—not a real one, anyway—but the school district was plagued with a Facebook firestorm which caused it to send out a clarifying email on Monday afternoon.
First the reality.
Supt. Dr. Denise Monzingo said a toy gun was picked up at the junior-high campus.
Police were notified, an investigation was conducted, nothing else was found, and that was that.
Except it wasn’t.
“Social media” erupted with rumors concerning the incident characterizing it in a number of erroneous and sensational ways. One even had a “hit list” being uncovered. Someone notified a Bryan television station to express concern.
EMAIL—By Monday afternoon the district felt the need to address the situation and sent this email to parents from Dr. Monzingo:
Parents,
After hearing of a Face-book posting, let us clarify. Last week at the Junior High, a toy gun was picked up, not a real gun. A thorough investigation was immediately conducted, and there was no evidence of any hit list.
Student safety is our number one priority, and if a real gun had been picked up, you would have been notified immediately. As always if you have a concern, please contact the school or district office. This will ensure that only accurate information is distributed.
“We took this very seriously,” Dr. Monzingo told The Reporter.
LOST DAY—It’s not the first time Internet rumors have impacted the Rock-dale ISD.
Classes were canceled Dec. 21, 2012, just after the Newtown, Connecticut, shootings, when rumors “something was going to happen or had happened” swamped local social media.
Many were fueled by the presence of a police patrol car parked outside the intermediate school.
A police officer was watching his child participate in a Christmas play inside.
The canceled school day was the one before the holidays and classes resumed normally in January.
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