The latest social media trend (hoax/scare tactic) is called “The Cat in the Hat” and uses AI, costumes and staged video of the popular Dr. Seuss character appearing in residential areas accompanied by unsettling music.
Some posts associated with the trend have included threats involving people, their homes, schools or other locations.
PCS has been made aware that we've had a few students who have been sent requests/messages, etc. from a similar account. If you or your student has come to you with what appears to be any localized messaging to the area of Preston County and/or Preston County Schools, please take that information to local law enforcement for further investigation, as well as contact Nick Schmidle, PCS Safety Coordinator, at nicholas.schmidle@k12.wv.us or Justin Hough, PCS Communications Director, at jhough@k12.wv.us.
More information on the trend can be found at the links below.
West Virginia covers false threats and fake emergency reports under several specific statutes depending on the nature of the claim, such as West Virginia Code §61-6-20 for false emergency reporting and West Virginia Code §61-6-24 for terroristic threats and hoaxes. These can result in misdemeanor and/or felony penalties, including steep fines and could carry a prison sentence.
https://www.wboy.com/news/ritchie/ritchie-county-sheriffs-office-warning-against-cat-in-the-hat-social-media-trend/
https://www.newsweek.com/schools-issue-warning-about-viral-cat-in-the-hat-trend-as-teen-arrested-12391002
LSIC will meet next Wednesday, September 9, at 3:30.
The image may be humorous, but our mission is not.
At Preston County Schools, we understand that when families send their children through our doors each day, they are placing tremendous trust in us. We do not take that responsibility lightly. We remain dedicated to creating safe, supportive, and engaging learning environments where every student can succeed.
As we continue through the next 175 days of the school year, we will remain focused on what matters most - the students and families we serve. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust.
Parents, please be advised that your child should be bringing home a paper packet that will allow you to review and update your child's student information and medical information. In addition, the packet will also direct you to complete a brief online form to update additional student information. Please return these packets so that school personnel can update this information as soon as possible. This is a change from previous years in which information was updated exclusively using an online form. Please contact your school with any questions or concerns with this new process.
Preston County Schools will be conducting hearing, speech, language, and vision screenings in our schools in the months of September and October. These screenings are for students entering school for the first time who have not been screened, students who have been referred for re-screenings from the previous year, and/or any students referred by teachers. Parents will be notified if any student should not pass the screenings.
Those who do not wish their child to be tested must contact their respective school in writing. For additional information, you may
contact the Preston County Schools, Special Education Department at 304-329-0580, extension 3220 or 3239.
Following recent air quality assessments conducted at South Preston School by a certified vendor, it was reported that (3) classrooms had elevated levels of aspergillus / penicillium mold. After conferring with the vendor, the Preston County Health Department, and WV Department of Education, the impacted classrooms have been cleaned as recommended and will be re-assessed before students and staff will be permitted to re-occupy the impacted rooms. Recommendations by the Preston County Health Department, the vendor, or WVDE for any further testing of other areas of the school will also be followed and carried out. At this time, there have been no recommendations for closure of the school. However, the issue will continue to be assessed by all involved parties. One of the impacted rooms was the Pre-K room, and as a result, Pre-K students at South Preston School will not report tomorrow and will tentatively report on Tuesday, September 1st pending clearance of the classroom for occupancy. Questions or concerns about this matter can be submitted to Superintendent Brad Martin at (304) 329-0580 ext. 3225.
Monday, August 24th - All Students Grades 1-12 Start
Thursday, August 27th - PK/K Students Start
Reminder: PCS is excited to welcome our faculty and staff for opening day sessions in Kingwood, tomorrow, the 18th. The schedule of trainings with times and locations , along with a welcome letter, can be found at the following link(s), as well as on the PCS Website Scroller:
https://aptg.co/0sPtZq (Welcome Letter)
https://aptg.co/18qLPG (August 19th)
https://aptg.co/-1vG0S (August 18th)
