Belton ISD
Parents as Partners
Dear Parents and Guardians:
Belton ISD wants to make you aware that individuals are making false threats to schools across the United States using the AirDrop feature on Apple mobile devices.
When students receive these anonymous threats, many copy and paste the threatening message and send it to any device that has its AirDrop feature activated and is close enough to receive messages.
Belton ISD is being proactive and asking you as parents ensure that your students’ mobile devices are reviewed and either has the AirDrop feature turned off or set to receive AirDrop messages only from their contact list.
Should your student receive a threat via an AirDrop message, he/she should report it to the nearest Belton ISD staff member immediately. If the AirDrop feature is set to receive AirDrop messages from “Contacts,” the sender will be identified. If the threat is received after school hours, we ask that the threat be reported to a local police department and via Annonymous Alerts. Anonymous Alerts can be accessed at http://www.anonymousalerts.com/beltonisd or by downloading the free Anonymous Alerts app and using the activation code “beltonisd.” A link to the website is programmed on all school-issued devices for easy access for students.
Please note, that due to the disruptive nature of these anonymous threats, Belton ISD will pursue charges to the fullest extent of the law, which could include terristic threat, against any individual determined to have made an AirDrop threat or who forwards an AirDrop threat he/she has received.
AirDrop is not available on Android devices. To change the setting for the AirDrop feature on your student’s Apple device, follow these steps.
1) Go to SETTINGS.
2) Scroll down and select GENERAL.
3) Tap AIRDROP.
4) Select RECEIVING OFF or CONTACTS ONLY.
Belton ISD maintains a multi-layered district safety plan. Partnering with us to manage who your student receives messages from further ensures student and staff safety.
Thank you for your support and understanding in this matter, and thank you for entrusting Belton ISD with the education and care of your student.
Sincerely,
Shad McGaha
Chief Technology Officer