Dear Knight Families,
I am starting this weekly parent email a little differently. Rather than sharing what is going on at ALAH, I want to share a type of public service announcement regarding sextortion. Unfortunately, even in our small, rural communities, this can happen here to our kids. This is a conversation I believe we need to have as a community, not because we want to scare our kids, but because we want to protect them. I hope you will take the time to read through this, maybe do a little research of your own and talk with your kids.
We spend a lot of time teaching our children about “stranger danger.” We tell them not to get into a car with someone they don't know, not to give personal information to strangers, and to tell an adult if someone makes them uncomfortable. But there is a new version of stranger danger that many of us did not grow up with: the stranger who gets into your child's phone.
The FBI is warning parents about a crime called sextortion, in which someone online manipulates, threatens, or blackmails a young person into sending sexually explicit pictures or videos. Sometimes the person pretends to be another teenager. Sometimes the conversation begins with a compliment, a friendship, a romantic interest, money, gaming credits, or something else that seems harmless. Once the person has a picture, the threats can begin—and things can escalate very quickly. And before you think, “That doesn't happen around here,” please know that it does. These crimes do not require a predator to live in our community—or even in our country. The Department of Justice has prosecuted cases in which children were targeted through social media by offenders who lived hundreds or thousands of miles away. In one recent federal case, an offender used Snapchat, Instagram, Discord, Yubo, Purp and other platforms to target at least 68 children ages 13–16 across nearly every state in the country.
Our kids have multiple TikTok accounts, Snapchat accounts, gaming accounts, group chats and online friendships that we may not even know exist. A child can be sitting safely in the bedroom of their own home while communicating with someone who is absolutely not who they claim to be.
So what can we do as parents? Start simple.
1. Keep phones out of bedrooms overnight.
This is one of the simplest things a family can do. Charge phones in the kitchen or another common area at night. The FBI specifically recommends considering a rule against devices in bedrooms overnight.
2. Talk to your kids—not just once, but regularly.
Ask who they are talking to online. Ask what apps they use. Ask whether they have accounts you don't know about. Most importantly, make sure they know this: If something happens online, they can tell you without being afraid that their first problem will be getting in trouble. The FBI emphasizes that shame, fear and embarrassment often keep young people from asking for help.
3. Know the warning signs.
Pay attention if your child suddenly becomes extremely secretive about a device, receives repeated messages from an unknown person, creates new social-media accounts, becomes unusually anxious after using their phone, receives threats, asks for money or gift cards, or seems frightened that something will be sent to friends or family. These can be signs that something is wrong.
And parents, please remember this most important piece: If your child comes to you because someone is threatening them online, they need your help—not your anger. They are a victim of a crime. Don't pay the person or continue communicating with the offender. Save screenshots and account information, and report it to law enforcement. The FBI and Department of Justice both provide resources for families dealing with sextortion.
I also encourage parents to take 10 minutes this week to learn more. Ben Tracy, whose work on online safety has reached students and families across the country, has shared the story of a teenage sextortion victim and additional resources for parents. It is worth reading and then having a conversation with your child.
Parents: You don't have to be an expert on TikTok, Snapchat, Discord or every new app that comes along. You just need to be involved, ask questions, set reasonable boundaries, and make sure your child knows that if something goes wrong online, they can come to you.
Sextortion: In the Words of a Teenage Victim by Ben Tracy
Department of Justice: Public Service Announcement
This isn't about being paranoid. It's about being prepared.
Mrs. Seegmiller
#GoKnights
Additional notes:
Our attendance rate this week was 93%!
Something new coming our way: Food Trucks will be here on Wednesday along with all of the regular offerings from our cafeteria! Food Truck Menus linked here!
Homecoming Dance permission slips were passed out this week. Guest forms are in the office!
For up to date information follow us on Facebook at Arthur CUSD # 305, Twitter @ALAHKnights, and now on Instagram at alahknights.
This Week at ALAH:
Saturday, September 12, 2026
Cross Country @ Paxton Buckley Loda, start time 9:00 am, activity bus TBD
JV Volleyball Tournament @ Cerro Gordo, game TBD, bus time 8:00 am
Soccer @ Teutopolis, game time 10:00 am, bus time 7:45 am
Monday, September 14, 2026
Film Club meeting during study hall
Volleyball @ Tri-City, game times 5:00/6:00/7:00 pm, bus time 3:20 pm
JV Football @ Cumberland, kick off 6:00 pm, bus time 3:45 pm
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Class Meetings during flex
FFA meeting & Art Club meeting during study hall
Varsity Golf @ Home (Kaskaskia Country Club), t-time 4:00 pm, Senior Night
Soccer @ home vs St. Anthony, start time 4:30 pm
Volleyball @ Home vs Sullivan, game times 5:00/6:00/7:00 pm
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Food Trucks during lunch - Highway Heartburn, DD’s Hibachi, Sweet Vail
Field Trip - Electrical/CAD at Lake Land College for construction related fields
Student Council meeting during study hall
JV Golf @ Blue Ridge (Woodlawn Country Club), t-time 3:30 pm, bus time 1:10 pm
Varsity @ Home (Kaskaskia Country Club), t-time 4:00 pm
School Board Meeting at AHGS, 6:00 pm
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Lake Land College Rep meeting with Jr’s/Sr’s interested in college during flex
Drama Club meeting during study hall
Soccer @ Georgetown-Ridge Farm, start time 4:30 pm, bus time 2:00 pm
Volleyball @ home vs CGB, start time 5:00/6:00/7:00 pm
Golf - JV Boys and Varsity @ Tuscola, t-time 4:00 pm, activity bus time TBD
Friday, September 18, 2026
Mentoring during flex
Football @ Home vs Argenta-Oreana, kick off 7:00 pm
Varsity Golf @ Mt. Zion, t-time 1:00 pm, bus time 11:30 am
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Cross Country @ Tuscola, start time 10:00 am, activity bus TBD
Soccer @ Warrensburg-Latham, game time 10:00 am, bus time 8:00 am
Marching Band @ Sage City Invitational Bus time 12:50 pm
Coming soon
September 21 - 25 - Week of Homecoming, Game vs Sullivan
September 26 - Homecoming Dance - Permission slips coming home next week!
October 8 - Student Council Blood Drive 8-11 am
October 9 - No School
October 12 - Columbus Day - No School
October 21 - Food Trucks during the lunch hour!
October 21 - 22 - Parent/Teacher Conferences, 4-8 pm
October 21 - 23 - FFA National Convention
October 23 - No School
October 27 - Picture Retakes
November 3 - Election Day, No School
November 11 - Veteran’s Day
November 12 - School Improvement Day, Noon Dismissal
November 18 - Food Trucks during the lunch hour!
November 18 - Winter Sports Pictures
November 23 - 27 - Thanksgiving Break, No School
December 9 - Food Trucks during the lunch hour!
December 10 - School Improvement Day, Noon Dismissal
December 17 & 18 - Final Exams, Early Dismissal 2:00 pm