“We are taking extra steps to ensure our students’ safety after being alerted to rumors of a possible shooting at Geneva High School being planned. Geneva Police and extra staff will be on hand at GHS this morning, and students should come prepared to have bags and IDs checked.

“While we have not been able to validate the credibility of these rumors, we will continue to take extra precautions until we have determined that our students are totally safe attending our school, and updates will follow. Thank you.”

Since then, the Geneva School District 304 officials and the Geneva Police Department have determined that “there is no credible evidence to substantiate any specific rumor of violence at Geneva High School or any other Geneva school.”

“The conclusion is that social media posts have perpetuated rumors that spread very quickly,” Geneva High School Principal Tom Rogers in a letter to parents, guardians, students and employees. “The safety and security of students at Geneva High School continues to be our top priority, and we, along with the Geneva Police Department, believe that Geneva High School is safe.”

Rogers made the following announcements this afternoon (Wednesday, Sept. 20 2017):

• Today’s after-school activities/practices will continue as scheduled unless an individual coach/sponsor communicates to students about alternative plans. Students are able to participate in these events regardless of their attendance in school today. The attendance requirement will resume tomorrow.
• As tomorrow is Thursday, a professional learning community schedule will be in place as planned. However, the mandatory PLC meetings scheduled for sophomores and juniors, as well as the optional meeting for seniors, will be rescheduled. All of the PLC interventions and activities will be in place beginning at 7:40 a.m., with first period beginning at 8:30 a.m.

Rogers encouraged students and adults to refrain from “perpetuating unsubstantiated rumors on social media” and asked anyone with information about a potential dangerous situation to contact Geneva High School or the Geneva Police Department.

The note said the Geneva Police Department and Kane County Sheriff’s Office patrol units are making Geneva schools their top priority this week.

“If students are in need of additional support at Geneva High School regarding these rumors or recent events, the Counseling & Advising Office is prepared to assist them,” Rogers said.

The high school has had a very difficult week.

On Monday, a student at the high school poured gasoline on himself from a water bottle. According to city of Geneva reports, the student was immediately prevented by students and staff from taking further steps to do self-harm or harm to others.

On Tuesday, Rogers provided an update on the incident and shared information about a weekend car accident in Central Illinois that took the life of a 2017 graduate of the school.