With Pasco County classrooms opening Thursday, Aug. 13, and Hillsborough County schools starting Monday, Aug. 10, the Pasco Sheriff's Office is urging Land O' Lakes and Lutz families to talk with their kids about three safety concerns before the first bell rings.

The agency published its "Lesson Plan For A Safe School Year" advisory on Monday, Aug. 3, covering road and pedestrian safety near school zones, the felony consequences of fake school threats, and the risks of posting children's identifying details on social media.

Fake threats carry felony charges

The sharpest warning targets students who joke about school violence. The Pasco Sheriff's Office said it thoroughly investigates every threat it receives, whether posted on social media or whispered in a hallway, and that even a so-called joke can lead to felony charges.

The consequences are severe. Under Florida Statute 836.10, sending or posting a written or electronic threat to kill, do bodily harm, or conduct a mass shooting is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The sheriff's office urged parents to report potential threats to law enforcement immediately rather than sharing them on social media.

Think before posting first-day photos

The sheriff's office also flagged a popular back-to-school tradition: photos of children holding signs listing their name, school, grade, and teacher. The agency warned that predators and scammers mine those posts for identifying details like names, nicknames, and school locations.

The office's advice: wait until students get home from the first day before posting, so families can share highlights without broadcasting a child's schedule and location in the morning.

School zone safety

The advisory also covers road and pedestrian safety tips for motorists and pedestrians near school zones as classes resume across the county.

Campus security in place

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Dr. John Legg, speaking in a July 31 interview with Tampa Bay 28, described the security posture families can expect: "Pasco schools are a safe place. We have a security guard and SSG at every campus here in Pasco County, they are armed and they're vigilant and they're looking to protect the school."

SSG refers to a School Safety Guard. Legg said the district also has single-point entry, fencing, and camera monitoring at every campus.

As we reported July 31, the district earned its first "A" grade since 2009 heading into the new year.

How to report

Anyone aware of a potential school threat can call the Pasco Sheriff's Crime Tips Line at 1-800-706-2488 or submit a tip online at PascoSheriff.com/tips.