TCSS On “Heightened Awareness” After News of Possible Threat

Thursday morning, the Tuscaloosa County School System released a statement regarding student safety.

In the statement, TCSS revealed a possible threat to schools nationwide.

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"We implement the Heightened Awareness mode of our TCSS Safety Plan when a potential MAY exist for an unusual situation, and everyone should have heightened awareness to react as needed," the statement read.

"Heightened Awareness is not the same as a lockout or lockdown. Under Heightened Awareness, we take extra steps to monitor hallways, entrance points, arrivals, dismissals, and make sure doors are secure."

It was made clear that no schools in Alabama were specifically identified as targets.

You can see the full statement below.

TCSS Students, Families, Faculty, and Staff,

Today (Thursday, October 3), you will notice additional safety precautions at our schools, and possibly additional law enforcement officers near our school campuses. This is because law enforcement has made us aware of a possible threat to schools nationwide. No schools in Alabama have been identified as targets, and this is not specific to TCSS in any way. However, we take all safety concerns seriously and will operate on Heightened Awareness today, out of an abundance of caution.

We implement the Heightened Awareness mode of our TCSS Safety Plan when a potential MAY exist for an unusual situation, and everyone should have heightened awareness to react as needed. Heightened Awareness is not the same as a lockout or lockdown. Under Heightened Awareness, we take extra steps to monitor hallways, entrance points, arrivals, dismissals, and make sure doors are secure. 

If you have a concern about school safety, as always, alert law enforcement or a school administrator immediately. This is one of the most important actions anyone can take to keep our schools safe. You may also use our confidential Speak Up for Safety line, if you have a safety concern to share.

Speak Up for Safety email address: speakup@tcss.net

Speak Up for Safety - call or text: (659) 734-2808

If there is additional information to share throughout the day, we will share that with you as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,

Office of the Superintendent

Tuscaloosa County School System