Our children's lives matter. 

We need to be proactive, not reactive.

As concerned parents and community members, we face a pressing issue that demands immediate action in Penfield, NY and in surrounding towns.

 Recently, a high school student made a chilling threat to target an unspecified elementary school in our area. This incident sends shivers down our spines, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced security measures across our schools to mitigate risk against domestic terrorists.

The safety of our children should be the utmost priority. To achieve this, we call for a bipartisan effort to implement armed Guards, bolster security, and mandate greater transparency from the Penfield Central School District, School Board, and Superintendent Potter.

Our children should never have to fear going to school, nor should parents bear the burden of such constant anxiety.

To be clear, I am not here to criticize Tasha Potter. In fact, I respect her education and her position. I also believe she can do more for us and I believe as a mother, she can agree that protecting kids is of the utmost importance. 

We are also not here to judge the parents of the teenager and I pray that the student will find peace and embrace love, not hate. We have mental health resources and it is important to deploy them.

TIMELINE:

On Thursday, 9/18/2025, Parents were informed that there was a student who threatened to "harm students and harm themselves" and that is was not considered a "credible threat."

What we found out on Friday 9/19/2025 were allegations, as posted by retired RPD Officer Johnny Fiorica, that the alleged Person of Interest: 

         1. Had Homicidal thoughts & Suicidal thoughts

         2. Were Obsessed with School Shootings, including Columbine

         3. Had a sexual gratification toward violence

         4. Had pleasured themselves to the Charlie Kirk assassination video

         5. Had a manifesto

         6. Said they were in an online group of like minded individuals from all  over the country

         7. Had a desire to obtain a weapon

        8   Had dressed as the Columbine shooter in a tiktok video


It is essential to provide our schools with the necessary resources to ensure a safe learning environment. This includes additional security measures like metal detectors and guards where appropriate. Further, we urge the Penfield Central School District and School Board to engage in open communication with parents and community members, ensuring they are informed and involved in decisions affecting our schools' safety. Transparency is crucial in fostering trust and ensuring collaborative efforts to protect our children.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly 95% of public schools implemented physical security measures in the 2019-2020 school year. Yet, incidents like this underline the ongoing vulnerabilities and the need for continued vigilance and improvement. In 2020, there were 14 active shooter incidents at schools across the United States, highlighting this critical issue that demands our immediate attention.

    We implore all members of the Penfield community, Monroe County, school officials, and policymakers to prioritize this initiative. It's not just about policy but about taking concrete steps to safeguard our future generations. Please join us in urging the Penfield Central School District to act now to protect our children. Sign this petition to demand immediate change and ensure that all measures are in place to prevent such threats from ever becoming a reality.

Lastly, I'd like to thank Monroe County Sheriff's Office for their help in investigating this case. 

 Together, let's create a safe and secure environment for our children to learn and thrive.