Greenville County Schools released a message to students and their parents Wednesday: Before you believe social media rumors, talk to school officials. Superintendent Burke Royster addressed false rumors circulating in the community and on social media locally and nationally Tuesday night at the board of Trustees meetings. His message was aimed at what he described as false claims made by students who identified themselves as cats and played that identity out in school. Royster explained the rumors and his advice to parents in the following statement: “I want to address the false rumors that have been circulating around the community and on social media, with claims that our schools are putting out litter boxes for students who are acting like cats or other animals, and allow students to respond to teachers with meows, among other things. “The things that have been described would be disruptive to school and therefore not be allowed. These types of rumors have been circulating across the country for at least nine months and are all unfounded to the best of our knowledge. Community that if students are behaving inappropriately it will be addressed and Greenville County Schools has not and will not be doing any of the things suggested in these rumours or social media posts that are circulating. “I never thought I’d have to deliver that kind of message, but it’s clear that some people get all of their information from social media and the internet and then draw conclusions based on that information rather than going straight to the source. “Before you believe any of this, and more before you pass this on, we would like to ask that you speak to the principal of your local school or contact your district ombudsman. Many Thanks.”
Greenville County Schools released a message to students and their parents on Wednesday: Before you believe the rumors on social media, talk to school officials.
Superintendent Burke Royster addressed false rumors circulating in the community and on social media locally and nationally at Tuesday night’s Board of Trustees meeting.
His message was directed against what he called false claims made by students who identified themselves as cats and played that identity out in school.
Royster explained the rumors and his advice to parents in the following statement:
“I want to address the false rumors circulating in the community and on social media claiming that our schools are putting up litter boxes for students who are acting like cats or other animals and allowing students to respond to teachers by using under others meow .
“The things described would disturb the school and would therefore not be allowed. These types of rumors have been documented as having been circulating across the country for at least nine months and, to our knowledge, are all unfounded.
“Regardless of what is or isn’t happening in other parts of the country, I can assure parents and our community that when students are misbehaving, it will be addressed and Greenville County Schools have not and will not implement any of the things described in these rumors.” or social media posts that are circulating.
“I never thought I would have to deliver this kind of message, but it’s clear that some people get all their information from social media and the internet and then draw conclusions based on that information rather than going straight to the source.
“Before you believe any of this, and more importantly before you pass this on to anyone, we would ask that you speak to the principal of your local school or contact the county ombudsmen. Many Thanks.”
