PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) — More students around the country are getting into trouble for TikTok challenges that fuel disruptive behavior, ranging from damaging school property to slapping teachers.

In order to keep students from facing disciplinary consequences — as well as possible charges — Pulaski County Public Schools urges family members and friends to help guide students away from these TikTok challenges.

According to a statement released by Superintendent Dr. Kevin Siers on Monday, Oct. 4, the September challenge — also known as “devious licks,” which involved vandalizing school property and stealing random objects — resulted in hundreds of dollars worth of damage to the bathrooms at Pulaski County’s secondary schools.

However, Dr. Siers says the challenge for October encourages students to smack teachers or staff members at their schools.

In addition, Monday’s announcement says some of the upcoming TikTok challenges include “jab a breast,” “make a mess in the courtyard or cafeteria,” “grab some eggs,” “mess of school signs,” and “flip off the front office.”

You can read the rest of Dr. Siers’ statement below:

Most of the behavior encouraged in these types of challenges will result in legal charges as well as the school assigned disciplinary consequence. We ask that anyone with a relationship of influence on any of our students to please speak with them about the inappropriateness of participating in these types of activities, discuss the probable legal and disciplinary outcomes, and encourage them to make good decisions if faced with pressure to participate.  

The 2021-2022 school year is proving to be the most difficult one in the careers of many educators. The challenges of teaching during the ongoing pandemic, staffing shortages, and increasing disciplinary issues within our schools and on buses are having a greater negative impact on education than anyone anticipated. Add to this the burden of dealing with students participating in a social media campaign to defy school rules, disrespect or physically injure school employees, and destroy school property and it is easy to see why the shortage of employees in education is rapidly growing. Pulaski County Public Schools would greatly appreciate support and assistance from our parents and community in helping communicate to our students the impact and harm that behaviors, such as participating in these challenges, might have on other people. Thank you to all who offer assistance with this issue.  

Dr. Kevin Siers, superintendent of Pulaski County Public Schools

This news comes as the district is dealing with shortages in staff members and food supplies, which led school officials to turn Fridays into virtual learning days for the month of October.