Sent on behalf of Superintendent Nickels - 8/31/2026

Dear Sequim School District Families,

Our district has become aware of social media content circulating on TikTok and other platforms involving the viral online trend “Cat in the Hat” Names List. This trend involves edited and AI-generated images of the Cat in the Hat in suspicious or threatening situations. Some posts may reference specific individuals, schools, neighborhoods, or locations. The trend is a hoax.

Online Hoax Mentioning Sequim
Last night our school district was notified of posts that included a doctored photograph of the Sequim High School sign and a list of first names aligned with this Cat in the Hat trend. The posts were immediately forwarded to law enforcement, and our district began investigating the situation.

Law enforcement has reviewed the posts and we do not believe this online threat is credible. With that said, the safety and well-being of our students is our most important priority. Out of an abundance of caution, we will have a police presence and patrols on the high school campus today. School will be open at all campuses.

Reminder: If You See Something, Say Something.

If a student notices or receives a threatening post or sees content that appears to target an individual or school, they should report it immediately to a parent or guardian, school administrator, or law enforcement. We would rather investigate a concern that turns out to be harmless than have a student remain silent about something that could be a genuine safety issue.

Please remind your students:

1.) Tell a trusted adult immediately if you see or receive something that concerns you.
2.) Block and report accounts or posts that make you feel unsafe.
3.) Do not repost threatening or unverified content.
4.) How to report threatening or concerning online content – https://www.esd112.org/report-dont-repost/

Thank you for partnering with us to help our students navigate social media responsibly and safely.

Regan Nickels
Superintendent
Sequim School District