'Threat assessment' activated at Du Quoin High School

Du Quoin High School's "threat assessment" protocol was triggered on Wednesday, but the district has concluded no students were ever in danger, Du Quoin Unit District 300 Superintendent Matt Hickam said Thursday.

Hickam said that on Wednesday, one student's homework for a vocabulary assignment contained a sentence that referenced causing harm to others.

The classroom teacher brought it to the attention of Principal Tim McChristian, Hickam said. McChristian in turn activated the threat assessment, which calls for school administrators and counselors and local police to be notified. The student was pulled out of class, Hickam said.

And while there will be follow-up with the student in question, there was no need to close the school, Hickam said.

"Du Quoin High School is under its regular schedule today (Thursday) because - while there were inappropriate statements made - there were no viable threats," Hickam said.

Hickam declined to get into specifics about the sentence written by the student, and where the student is at present. The district sent a short statement to District 300 parents Thursday afternoon, that said in part: "The matter is being handled currently by law enforcement and other outside agencies to further determine which steps need to be taken. At this time it has been determined there is no threat to the safety of the staff or students at Du Quoin High School."

Du Quoin Police Chief Steve Ingram, whose officers responded to the high school, was unavailable for comment on Thursday.

Hickam said threat assessments are rare - no more than one or two a year, and some years none - but when they happen, the district goes through a checklist to determine the seriousness of the threat.

"Anytime you've got students who make comments that involve guns, or homicidal thoughts we're going to take that seriously," he said.

Among other things, assessments determine whether the threat is directed at anyone in particular, if there is an actual plan in place, and whether the student has the means to carry it out.

Meanwhile, Hickam said the school staff does more than chase after threats, they keep an eye on students for signs that they are struggling with something - looking for changes in behavior that could indicate depression or drug abuse.

"Our hope is to find and identify any student who needs additional help," he said.

Here is the District 300 statement, over the names of Hickam, McChristian and Assistant Principal Denise Woodsides.

"We were made aware on Wednesday ... of a student's homework assignment in which the students of an English class were to use five common use vocabulary words in a sentence. The homework of one student did make reference to the thoughts of inflicting harm toward others.

"As soon as we were made aware of the writings, the administration removed the student from class to begin assessing the situation. The Du Quoin Police Department, administration, counselors and law enforcement were all involved in investigating this matter. Steps were taken to assess the validity of the threat and the statements in class, and to ensure the safety of the students and school.

"The administration of the high school and district takes any and all threats toward the safety and security of our schools very seriously. The matter is being handled currently by law enforcement and other outside agencies to further determine which steps need to be taken. At this time it has been determined there is no threat to the safety of the staff or students at Du Quoin High School.

"The school will follow a regular schedule for the remainder of the week.

"The safety of our school is the top priority. We appreciate your support."