Another TikTok Challenge Creates Havoc
“School Violence” or “Shoot up you School” leads some schools to close
December 17th was supposed to be an ordinary day. It was a Friday. A little over a week before Christmas. I had planned for students to catch up on their binders and wrap up on a chapter we were reading. But no, my plans were not fully realized due to another dumb and dangerous Tik Tok Challenge.
Some idiot (or idiots) had posted on TikTok that December 17th was “school violence” or “shoot up your school” day. Across the country, thousands of students saw the challenge spread all across social media. In addition to Tik Tok, students saw the message posted on Snap Chat and Instagram. This in turn caused parents to call schools and keep their children at home.
So Friday at my school saw many students absent and the district barely giving the issue attention. We received an email from our principal and that was about it. It would be business as usual with classes in session and no school closed.
Those students who did arrive at school asked me if I were aware of what was going on. Of course, I was aware and tried to downplay the situation. Since I teach in an urban district, I knew from my nearly twenty years on the job that students don’t shoot up schools. They may shoot outside of school buildings, but not inside those buildings. As for any other form of violence, unfortunately, that happens every day.
We were able to get through the school day without any incidents. The students went to their classes. I was able to teach those students who sat in front of me. I silently lamented those students who were absent. They were missing instruction and adding to their learning gaps. But what could I do? I had to help the ones who were in front of me.
The 2021–2022 school year has been a rollercoaster of emotions. Students have been adjusting to in-person learning, entering high school, and navigating through a pandemic. Many students were infected since September with COVID and now with Omicron gaining strength, more students will likely become infected. I already have several students out due to COVID issues.
With 2022 on the horizon, the pandemic shows no signs of easing up. Omicron is already having an impact on high education. Harvard University will be online for three weeks when students return in January. Other colleges and universities have already transitioned to online learning. Will public schools follow suit? Only time will tell.
