PORTA Responds to Clown Sighting Reports Across the Country

If you have followed the news in recent weeks there has been a growing number of disturbing clown sightings across the nation.  While we hesitate to feed into the lunacy taking part across our Country we realize we have a large number of students who are genuinely terrified of news coming from social media and national media hubs. At this time PORTA Schools or the communities of PORTA schools have no reports, credible or otherwise, of scary clowns.  If this helps to relieve the fears of our children we are happy to report the lack of any sightings.  
Unfortunately, we are more worried some individuals might take this opportunity to dress as a clown and scare or intimidate students and staff as a terrible joke.  Please understand we have met with the Menard County Sheriff to confirm our suspicions that no sighting have been reported, but also to coordinate and discuss appropriate actions if such a sighting does occur in or around our district.  
The safety and security of our students and staff is our primary concern and if anyone attempts to scare or otherwise harm our students/staff, we can assure our families the person will be dealt with in the swiftest and most harsh manner available. This issue is not a joking matter and would be devastating to our community if some unwitting person was injured, jailed or worse because they felt the need to perpetuate the growing clown hysteria.