Schools on guard against viral vandals
Students face disciplinary action if caught performing TikTok challenge, districts warn in letters to parents
A new TikTok trend that challenges students to destroy or steal school property and post the results on the video app has come to Montgomery County.
Schools across the country are responding to the growing “devious licks” challenge by closing bathrooms and other facilities, warning students of the consequences of destroying property, and asking for parents’ help.
“We are spending a lot of time monitoring restrooms to find those responsible on video, and we are wasting lots of resources in the process,” Stockton Junior High Principal Bryan Gorka told parents in a message sent out last week. “If you could help us out by encouraging your student to report anything they see directly to an adult on campus, we would greatly appreciate it. Any students caught stealing or vandalizing our building will face disciplinary consequences.”
But Stockton was not the only school in the Conroe Independent School District that felt it necessary to contact parents regarding the new challenge. Items have been stolen from bathrooms at Grand Oaks High School, and school officials reminded parents, and their students, that such actions won’t be tolerated.
“On Monday morning, an announcement was shared with students that students caught participating in such misbehavior will receive disciplinary consequences and may be prosecuted,” the message to parents read. “Our main focus is to make sure students have the necessary resources to be safe and comfortable throughout our nice building. We appreciate any support parents may provide in keeping our building safe and comfortable for our students.”
Splendora ISD sent a similar letter home to parents at the junior high school and the high school, calling the challenge a “distraction,” and a “disruption in education.”
“We just want our kids to have respect for our school buildings, for our staff, for each other,” Splendora ISD Superintendent Jeff Burke said. “We’re here to provide the best educational experience that we can and this is a disruption to that and to the safety of our schools and it costs people time and money and it’s not an innocent thing. It’s causing real damage.”
Consequences could include disciplinary alternative education programs, police referrals, legal action and restitution.
After several incidents in district restrooms, Willis ISD also sent parents a note about the challenge. Like the other letters, Willis asked parents for their help, reminded students of possible disciplinary measures, and outlined several resources parents and students could use to report incidents to the district.
“Please talk with your student (s) about this disturbing behavior and ensure they are aware of the consequences,” the message to parents said.
“We have beautiful facilities in our district and many hard-working staff who take pride in keeping them well maintained for our benefit.
“Thank you for partnering with us to keep our schools and students safe.”
All districts encouraged students to utilize the available reporting hotlines on campus if they were aware of challenge participants.