Hackler Intermediate

MHPS Parents/Guardians, Today our administration was notified that some students were sharing a social media post that included a threat of violence toward an organization or school called “MHS.” This post circulated through a number of local students and was eventually reported to our administration. While this post did not refer to Mountain Home or our schools, we still reported it to the authorities immediately. Our police department began tracing the post, and in the meantime similar “MHS” threats started cropping up around the country. In fact, a 13-year-old girl was arrested in California for making a “MHS” threat in her district today. Later in the day we received reports that students told their parents that our buildings were on lockdown. I want to clarify that at no point during the day were we on lockdown. Generally speaking – unless it would cause additional risk in the moment – we will notify you promptly if we are placed in a status of lockdown, shelter, hold, evacuation, etc. for any reason. This afternoon we received another report of a Snapchat warning classmates. It was not a threat and did not identify MHPS, but we reported it, and our local authorities are looking into it as well. Please continue to report threats or questionable posts. Make sure the appropriate people – authorities and school administration – have this information so action can be taken quickly. Thank you, Allyson Dewey

This morning we received notification of another social media threat of violence. This post listed "MHS" as the school in question. While this post did not appear to be targeted toward our district, we did pass this information along to authorities the moment we received it. Law enforcement has confirmed the post did not originate here, and it appears to be referring to a completely different school/district. Please talk to your children about the importance of not spreading these threats but immediately reporting them to an adult. Re-sharing these posts rather than reporting them is never the answer. We know these possible threats are concerning and scary, and it is important for the proper authorities to be notified immediately.

Thanks to the HHS Academy at MHHS for helping to share information about The Call!

Bus 62 is currently delayed at Nelson-Wilks-Herron. We are hopeful that the driver will soon be able to continue the route. Thank you.

Bomber Update: Mrs. Dewey addresses this week's social media threat and shares advice for families and students from Mr. Matt Sutton, the district's School-Based Mental Health Coordinator. https://youtu.be/dxjwW2UbOQ4

To our families and community members, Law enforcement agencies have been hard at work on the social media threat issue since it was first reported last night, and now I have been notified that the police department has no evidence to suggest this threat originated locally. While this information does provide some relief, I understand that the original threat post did indicate a date of September 10 for the act of violence. With that in mind, I have decided to excuse student absences again for Tuesday, Sept. 10. However, I want to assure you all that we will have a number of additional safety measures in place tomorrow and in the coming days and weeks. Tomorrow – and then again on numerous other occasions in the near future – you might see open air searches being conducted by K9s. You might also see staff members who serve on the building crisis teams helping to monitor our campuses. There will be additional law enforcement presence on and around our buildings for the next several days. Some of the law enforcement members will be in uniform while others may be in plain clothes. Please keep in mind that as we implement these crisis measures, there might be specific protocols we follow that we do not make public. We will continue to conduct additional security measures behind the scenes in an effort to best protect our students and staff. For now I want to assure you that our local PD will continue to follow up on every lead they receive, so if you have any information that might be helpful to the investigation, please call MHPD at 870-425-6336. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we navigate this challenge. Allyson Dewey

MHPS Families, Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through this social media threat situation. I’ve told our families before that while I am an educator, I am also a parent, and so when situations like these arise, I look at things through multiple lenses. We all had difficult decisions to make this morning when it came to student attendance. While I am confident that our students on campus are safe today, I do understand those who wanted more information before sending their children to school. At this time I do not know how much information we will learn throughout the day, but I can confidently say that local law enforcement, state police, and the FBI are all involved and are taking this very seriously. You have likely seen similar stories from around the country today, and so of course it is possible that this is just some sort of hoax, spoof, or social media trend. However, while this may be the case, we are treating it as a credible threat that must be investigated thoroughly. I want you to know as a school administrator and as a mom, my heart is with each family. I hope you’ll use this challenging situation as a conversation starter with your kids. I wish we never had to have these conversations, but the reality is that these things do happen, just like last week in Georgia. We have to continue to communicate the gravity of situations like these. Even if this is just a hoax of some sort, there absolutely will be consequences for those responsible, and people who participate in this kind of behavior will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I will continue to update you as I learn more, and I am grateful for your support as we navigate a situation that is completely unacceptable. Thank you, Allyson Dewey

Bomber Update: Mrs. Dewey discusses some important information ahead of tonight's football game in Harrison, and she's joined by two local celebrities! https://youtu.be/DyEX_c6tPDU

Don't miss this Bomber Update featuring two special guests! https://youtu.be/sad5DHMIL_g

No school on Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day.

We're doing some simple dress up days at all grade levels next week for BEAT HARRISON WEEK! Here's the list! All are welcome to participate!

Bomber Update: Mrs. Dewey discusses Week 1, tonight's Bomberfest event, and shares some first day pictures submitted by our families! https://youtu.be/781dM2MoeEM

The art teachers at Mountain Home Public Schools are continuing a tradition that started years ago with Mrs. Beth Ivens, a retired art teacher legend. Each summer, prior to the beginning of the school year, all of the district art teachers submit a personal artwork to be displayed in the lobby of Dunbar Auditorium. Every couple months the works will be replaced by artwork from student artists across the school district. Pictured: Mrs. Libby Posey (Pinkston Middle School), Mrs. Isabella Phares (Nelson-Wilks-Herron), Mrs. Christy Lawrence (Mountain Home High School), Mr. Steve Hargett (Mountain Home High School), Mrs. Dora Norcross (Hackler Intermediate School), Mrs. Leeanne Jackson (Hackler Intermediate School), and Mrs. Tilda Helgesson (Mountain Home Junior High).

Don't miss these special treats at Bomberfest on 8/23! 50% of proceeds go to MHPS Special Olympic Athletes!

A couple quick reminders for our families as we head into an exciting new school year! Following Mrs. Dewey's updates, you'll see some familiar faces share about what it means to be a Bomber! https://youtu.be/QaVfOkvlM-A

We hear that our very own Mr. Rick (paraprofessional and ASL interpreter) is teaching this course. Could be a valuable learning experience for kids or families!

Some updates from the Transportation Department. Please call them at 425-1240 if you have any questions! Ty Star Station Bus 61 AM Bus 43 PM AM pick up is at 6:45am this is earlier than last year 34/43 is a combine route bus Student on CR 614 and CR 604 must come to 201 S. CR 1073 and CR 1076 must come to County road 57 Additional Combined routes: 63/33 46/27 Pioneer Trail is now on Bus 52 Library bus is Bus 45 Mountain Station students are now on bus 28 Apartment bus 25 will pick up at the following places: Arrowhead Apts Mtn Village/Freedom's Landing (name change) 203 S. Cardinal apartments North Star Apartments Valley Estates

Attention Bomber Families: school supplies (besides backpacks and lunch boxes) are provided again this year!

Are you interested in sponsoring a local child's early literacy? Here's some good information about how you can do that!

It's time to fill out your child's Free/Reduced Meal Application! Here's a link to our Food Service webpage where you can fill out a digital form or download a paper copy. Every year we have families who are surprised they qualify, so please take a moment to fill this out. https://www.mhbombers.com/page/food-service