In the middle of the night, we received an anonymous email that made a bomb threat against our schools. Ive seen fascism, Ive seen terror. CALUMET CITY, IL A bomb threat was called in Thursday to a Calumet City elementary school, forcing an evacuation, according to WLS. A police search of Carol Moseley Braun Elementary School turned up nothing, and students and staff returned to the building mid-day, WLS reported. Read more from WLS. It was nine-times more than state Democrats sent to the two county parties. Berg acknowledged to Wisconsin Watch that WILL withheld some details from the narrative it pushed to the media, including hyper-partisan juggernauts Newsmax and Fox News Laura Ingraham. Closer than this community has ever felt as it pertains to physical violence.. 2017 Swinging Swallows Modern Square Dance Club. Trends Analytics. WebSeveral bomb threats prompted evacuations at four schools in Lake County on Monday. School board incumbents faced a whack-a-mole battle against misinformation. According to Coral Springs Police, the school was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure after a threat was made on social media, Monday morning. We found that 30% of the schools evacuated and 10% closed school, oftentimes unnecessarily doing so, which revealed a need for school threat assessment training. It's not long before the new dancer is feeling like an old pro! Newsroom: (305) 795-2777. This is not us versus them. A year ago, two weeks ago, I wouldnt have expected any of this. Christianity and Critical Race Theory (CRT) cannot coexist; therefore, I cannot vote for any of the current board members who voted to support CRT, it said. Parents urged Kiel High School to respond to racial bullying their teen faced at school. They had to cut the fence. SD132 in partnership with the Calumet Park Recreational Center and Workstudy Enterprises, Inc. provided ongoing activities that students experienced at the The person who sent the threats acknowledged the investigations closure in a follow up message, but promised threats to any Wisconsin school district attempting to investigate similar complaints in the future, according to WBAY, which received the email. That book also has images of same-sex couples, which helps explain why the American Library Association has four times since 2003 listed it among the most challenged books of the year. The content of the books was clearly intended, in my opinion, to be educational and informative, not erotic in nature, Funkhouser wrote in a report. Residents long saw Kiel as a place where families stroll along river banks after grabbing a bite at Dairy Queen. Officials at Clements High School said WSVN broadcast educational and informational programming for children, and file quarterly reports with the FCC detailing the station's outreach to children. But not all of Kiel appreciated his messages. Bomb Threat That includes opposing COVID-19 mask mandates and stopping loan forgiveness for farmers of color across the United States. For the moment, daily life in Kiel has resumed its normal rhythm. One, Making a Baby, deals with pregnancy; the other, Its Perfectly Normal, contains illustrations of human anatomy, gender and sexuality. Transportation facility and bus security issues should also be built into school security plans. Rabidoux, the mother of one of the boys scrutinized in the Title IX proceeding, said she also contributed to the groups efforts, and Mike Joas, elected to the school board in April, attended meetings. People either had their mind made up or they were no longer willing to listen.. The group is not anti-government, it says, but it helps members restore your communities to a constitutional republic, and hold court proceedings to bring tyrants and criminals to justice.. Place caller ID on school phones to help identify bomb threat callers. Its a one page document, and the whole description is mispronouning, Berg said. Were appreciative of his offer, but to my knowledge, weve never taken them up on any of his offers, Funkhouser said. A final notification about athletic and ECA events will be communicated as soon as we have made a determination. Dont sell the story it may not be marketed as an individual product. We were just concerned citizens reaching out to our neighbors, said Piper, a self-described proud member of Tri-County Citizens. Indiana State Police said it was notified early Friday morning of the messages, which threatened "the use of explosive devices that had allegedly been planted on various school campuses.". Members of Tri-County Citizens and other local conservatives fueled the outrage. Its to be unique, to be special, he said. But after word spread in May that Harden would help lead this years farmers market, 66 residents implored city leaders to closely monitor Hardens leadership, citing his outward display of anti-LGTBQ speech, among other issues, according to a letter obtained by Wisconsin Watch. (Lianne Milton for Wisconsin Watch). None was willing to be identified publicly, citing fears of retaliation amid the violent threats in Kiel. They want the attention. May 5, 2023. Were the threats keeping our feet to the fire to keep pushing us towards a resolution maybe sooner than later? Both agencies mentioned to me that they were in contact with the FBI regarding the matter. CRT is a decades-old academic concept asserting that white supremacy from Americas past lives on in its laws and institutions shaping racial disparities across society today. These dance performances are done strictly on a volunteer basis. Tewksbury, other schools receive new bomb threats Lowell Sun A police search of School buses have also been the target of terrorist bombings in the Middle East, so it would be wise for school officials to include school bus and transportation facilities in their bomb threat and suspicious device planning and training. (Lianne Milton for Wisconsin Watch). The complaint involved two books. Smoky clouds hung like the pall that had enveloped the town in recent weeks. The final bomb threat came with an ultimatum: Drop the Title IX investigation by June 3, or the citys utility station, wastewater treatment plant, stores and all roads, He has mixed feelings, however, about the violent threats used to pressure the board. But the Wisconsin Republicans are tightening their focus on local politics. Teachers will communicate with students and their have lessons posted by 10:00 a.m. Only essential staff should report to school, and you will be notified directly if you need to report. It turned into a big talking point: We need those candidates to save us from the pornography, even though no one seems to be able to show us that it exists, Johannes said. A blanket exemption in that policy appears to give the board broad power in extraordinary circumstances.. 6:00 PM Board of Education Meeting . For that reason, and out of an overabundance of caution, I am calling an e-learning day today, on Friday, April 14th. First, the middle school, then multiple Kiel schools. It could take time, but were not stopping.. It feels like weve been hijacked by something bigger than Kiel, one school parent said, sitting by the banks of the Sheboygan River. Ahead of the 2022 spring primaries, the Wisconsin Republican Party sent about $284,000 to county GOP offices statewide, while the Democratic Party of Wisconsin sent just $85,000 to its county parties, according to a Wisconsin Watch analysis. SES Families: Early this morning, we were notified by the Shelby County Sheriff's Department of a bomb threat their office received targeting several Indiana schools. After speaking with both law enforcement agencies and a thorough sweep of each school building, we agreed to continue to monitor the situation throughout the evening. Republican lawmakers nationwide have since pushed often vague bans on CRT and broader efforts to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in public schools, despite a lack of evidence that K-12 schools taught or endorsed the academic theory. He pushed to end school mask mandates during the pandemic. First, Critical Race Theory is an academic legal theory taught in higher education. Since we saw the email last night, we had the advantage of more time to ensure student and staff safety.". In fact, discussions of such strategies alone has reportedly resulted in decreased bomb threats at some schools. I would have to say yes, Long said. Users can republish our photos, illustrations, graphics and multimedia elements ONLY with stories with which they originally appeared. How bomb threats and a bullying probe paralyzed a School staff ranging from custodians to principals, and even some security and former police officers, have reportedly picked up suspected devices and moved them around school property, delayed calling police, and taken other dangerous steps which could have possibly been prevented through adequate training, crisis planning, and related measures. It was a three-week time period that was very stressful for our entire community, but especially for me and our police department, he told Wisconsin Watch. Our sessions accommodate new and veteran dancers, all of whom enjoy the physical and mental workout that comes with square dancing. The Vice President is Jeannie Mastine and the Treasurer/Secretary is Wendy Shields; the Social Convener is Mary Dament. We have a party night nearly every month Halloween, Christmas, Valentines Day, etc. While we do not have any reason to believe that the threat is credible at this time, we are of course not willing to risk the safety of our students or staff. UPDATE: Student confesses to both Munising Deputies said South Lake High School in Groveland was evacuated just after 8 a.m. The public has yet to hear the transgender students side of the story, and federal privacy laws shield those details. Students had gone home days ago after the first bomb threat, and they would finish the school year virtually. The water was boiling, and when (the Title IX investigation) came to the light, it really kind of brought the pot to a full boil and overflowed at times.. Rose Rabidoux, the mother of one of the accused boys, added that the teacher documented incidents across multiple days, not an isolated conversation in class. Most recently, Koran was a 2021 Knight Wallace reporting fellow at the University of Michigan. Everything we know so far. Out of an abundance of caution, and on the advice of law enforcement, MCS chose to declare an e-learning day today, April 14, to provide time for an investigation continues into these widespread threats. The rhetoric mobilized the groups nearly 200 members. The Club has an annual membership drive every September (usually the second and third Thursdays after Labour Day). It was a great win, Berg, the WILL attorney, proclaimed three days after the boards announcement. I apologize for the short notice, and appreciate your understanding as we continue to work hard to keep our schools, staff, and children safe. All student releases will continue from inside the school. He said other officials hadnt spoken either before abruptly ending the call. Cloquet High School, Middle School Evacuated After Bomb Threat Police in northern Minnesota responded Wednesday to a bomb threat at Cloquet High School. The call put two books under the microscope. We revealed this emerging trend more than five years ago. Up to a pound of ammonium nitrate was brought to school by a Nevada middle-school student. He is 18 years old. Immediately following Columbine, schools across the nation experienced a spike in bomb threats and related incidents. In July 2020, two months after Floyds murder and amid nationwide protests against violence inflicted upon Black Americans, the mother of a Black Kiel High School student discovered racist messages in her sons football teammate group chat. I spoke to the Edinburgh Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff's Department. One Maryland school district experienced more than 150 bomb threats and 55 associated arrests in one school year. WebCalumet: [geographical name] industrial region of northwestern Indiana and northeastern Illinois southeast of and adjacent to Chicago including the cities of East Chicago, Gary, By May, Kiels political factions clashed over the direction of schools, public libraries and even the local farmers market. Instead, they simply ask employees to look around and report suspicious items or things out of place so public safety responders can then follow-up with those particular items. Milwaukee, WI 53205, The Kiel school districts closure of a Title IX investigation under pressure sends a chilling message expert says. No device was found in a police search. Middle School Berg confirmed that notes from the music teacher included a handful of incidents that had been left out of WILLs narrative, all of which centered around misuse of the students pronouns. Subscribe to ournewsletterto get our investigative stories and Friday news roundup. But as the school board election approached, challengers began accusing the library of providing pornography to children. WebEight boys confessed to making three homemade bombs, two of which were placed at a Minnesota elementary school. We dance for fun not for perfection! (Lianne Milton for Wisconsin Watch). School officials should talk with local enforcement to obtain documents similar to this federalBomb Threat Checklistor the former ATF Bomb Threat Checklist. But in the early days of the pandemic, writer Christopher Rufo sharpened the phrase into a kind of weaponized, catch-all for the woke racial ideologies that progressives back and conservatives scorn. So the districts theory appears to be that any misuse of pronouns is automatically sexual harassment under Title IX and is punishable speech., Even if the comments were inappropriate or rude, he said, they wouldnt rise to the level of sexual harrassment under Title IX, which defines it as so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it denies a person equal educational access.. As part of a settlement, the school district hired a consultant to educate staff and students about racism and harassment. And the problem is we start banning books, that leads to one thing and never ends very well, said Jason Grube, a war veteran and father of three. People are really amped up, an officer said while confirming the reporters identification. At 6:54 a.m. today (Friday, April 14, 2023), the school corporation was notified of a bomb threat. A Flagler middle school student was arrested after making a bomb threat, deputies say. Another first for Shaver: watching local political action committees form in Kiel. The library board overwhelmingly voted to keep the books on the shelves a win for those resisting backlash politics in Kiel. All rights reserved. Many school bomb threats have been made by students seeking to disrupt the school day and to get out of school. The final bomb threat came with an ultimatum: Drop the Title IX investigation or much of Kiel would face violence. The threat was not written in English, Sproles said, and translated to: "One of your schools has a bomb inside. Marion Community Schools will be on an e-learning day today. INDIANAPOLIS Several dozen central Indiana school districts canceled in-person learning Friday, April 14, after a bomb threat was emailed to the districts, officials said. Parents and students, please check your email for more information. Their challengers attack lines morphed faster than they could respond, roping in other Kiel institutions along the way. We discuss diversity, the letter stated. Middle School Early this morning, law enforcement met with administration to do a second sweep prior to students arriving. The group stays in touch with law enforcement and has offered to collaborate not armed, just to be a valuable asset, during any civil unrest, he said. Mmmmmm. In April 2012, the University of Pittsburgh experienced a series of bomb threats that resulted in school officials choosing to repeatedly evacuate the school and heighten security measures. Decisions and protocols on these issues should be determined by school officials and their public safety (police, fire, etc.) Kids are back to their summer activities. Treating each and every threat seriously. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police cruiser is parked at Kennedy Middle School in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. Our membership is quite varied in ages and abilities with everyone enjoying the fun and friendships that are offered. School board trustee Long said the board followed the districts policies for Title IX complaints, but declined to elaborate, citing confidentiality provisions. Avoid evacuating students into school parking lot areas to reduce the risk of potentially exposing them to additional explosive devices placed in vehicles and/or easily hidden in parking areas. Another parent said the children were running and screaming, which frightened her. This is about standing up for all the kids and educating them and making it inclusive.. One, Making a Baby, deals with pregnancy; the other, Its Perfectly Normal, contains illustrations of human anatomy, gender and sexuality something that a parent and child could sit down together to read and open a conversation about the human body, said Julia Davis, director of the Kiel Public Library. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. Weve been lied to and lied to, to the point where a tyrant has taken over, he added. Miami, FL 33141 Thats right, Steinhardt said when a reporter pointed out the lack of communication from his office. Speaking to Wisconsin Watch, more than a dozen residents accused Harden of fueling local vitriol. Residents long saw Kiel, Wis. as a place where families stroll along river banks after grabbing a bite at Dairy Queen. INDIANAPOLIS Several dozen central Indiana school districts canceled in-person learning Friday, April 14, after a bomb threat was emailed to the districts, Is that why?. It felt like I was bringing a spoon to a knife fight, Johannes said. Theres a community response, and then theres mob mentality, and Im not sure which one fits where, he said. Harden denies his group is a militia. WebSpring Break 2023! There are no square dance competitions or exams. Berg rejected the suggestion from critics not in the Appleton audience thatWILL and the families of the accused boys fanned the outrage that culminated in bomb threats by going public with their defense. Thats when the parents of three Kiel Middle School boys told news outlets that their children were under investigation for violating Title IX a federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in schools for allegedly bullying a transgender student. Wisconsin has some of the countrys starkest disparities between white and Black residents in education, public health, housing, criminal justice and income. Our study revealed that more than 70% of the threats involved shooting and/or bomb threats. As tensions escalated during the bomb scares, Funkhouser called on Kiel residents to be the light and stay positive. Kiels paralysis in late May and early June followed a descent into incivility that shares elements of school board fights across the country fueled by a cocktail of political tribalism, COVID-19 anxiety, false claims of election fraud and racial tensions following the Minneapolis police murder of George Floyd. A message Wisconsin Watch sent to their family went unreturned. Marion Community Schools was among several schools across the state that were sent an email that contained a bomb threat. All Madison-Grant schools will be on an e-learning day for April 14, 2023. The towns turmoil offers deeply divided Wisconsin an extreme example of what can happen when partisan misinformation aggravates the resentment and distrust already festering in a community. Over nine days, six emailed bomb threats would land in school, police and news media inboxes, and the list of targets grew. They never helped him, Rabidoux said. Web5:30 PM Calumet Middle School Math and Science Night. (Lianne Milton for Wisconsin Watch), Credit should be given, in this format: By Dee J. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by Wisconsin Watch do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates. Search this area. Its not liberal versus conservative. One local group, Tri-County Citizens, coalesced around an effort to keep CRT out of schools. For Harden, everything changed on January 6, 2021 the day rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, aiming to disrupt the certification of President Joe Bidens election victory over Trump. UPDATE 11:10am: The code red for Ramblewood Middle School has been lifted. In 2022, nearly every local race became partisan. (Lianne Milton for Wisconsin Watch). Johannes, who held his seat for only six months after his appointment to the board, describes himself as just a math teacher from Sheboygan who likes to watch the Bucks. The letter in the paper confused him; he and his family are church-going Christians he previously served as his churchs president, he said, and hed never endorsed CRT. The spokesperson said Greenwood Community Schools has extra police at the schools as a precaution. The librarys trouble started in November 2021, when a man called police to claim that he spotted pornography on the shelves. Were planning and looking forward to the next Boys and Girls Club dinner/dance. Bomb threat prompts lockdown at Ramblewood Middle Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. Berg said WILL aimed to protect both sides by withholding the notes from its narrative. Bodden, who did not respond to requests for comment, wrote that his priorities include banning the (New York Times) 1619 project, Critical Race Theory and any equity-based curriculum for our schools., If we see large-scale involvement of political parties in elections at this level, you are going to run out so many good candidates, said Johannes. At Christmas and the end of the dance year we have a pot-luck dinner prior to dancing. Recognize, though, that many tech-savvy students are able to bypass these filters. Calumet Public School District 132 Develop procedures for actual evacuations (short and distant evacuations, alternative sites, transportation procedures, reunification with families, etc.). We look forward to welcoming students back on Monday and appreciate your understanding in the decision we made today. Please let us know if you have concerns, suggestions or questions. Lifetime users of Kiels library, victims rights advocates, grandparents and school board members condemned book-banning. Nixed.