September 23, 2024

Dear Islip Families:

Last Thursday I sent you a letter regarding threats to school districts involving a multi-step plan that had been circulating on social media, both nationally and regionally. At that time, no specific threat had been leveled at any schools within our District, and the threats were deemed as non-credible by law enforcement.

Today, a student reported to a building administrator that they saw a different threat on social media over the weekend. This included a "shooting list," which named a number of schools in New York, including a mention of the Islip School District. Unfortunately, the post can no longer be located, but Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) has been informed and will investigate.

As is often the case with these kinds of generic threats, it is likely that this most recent one will be determined to be non-credible. We understand, however, that seeing or hearing about this kind of posting could cause fear and anxiety throughout the school community. As mentioned in last week's letter, we have school counselors, social workers, and psychologists available to speak with any student who may need support. Your child is encouraged to reach out to any of them, or another trusted staff member, should they feel the need to speak with someone about any fears they may have.

I will continue to keep the community informed as we receive additional information related to school security and safety. In the meantime, I will remind you once again about the well-established security procedures and protocols we have in place and assure you we are taking this matter seriously, even if it is proven to be unfounded. We will continue to remain in contact with SCPD to stay informed of any investigations into the matter.

We are grateful for the student who came forward this morning and ask you again to remind your children of the importance of "if you see something, say something." This kind of communication enables us to continue to stay at the forefront of any security issues that may arise.

Feel free to contact your building's administrative team or my office if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support.

Sincerely,

Kathleen O'Callaghan, Ed.D.

Acting Superintendent of Schools