The message warned a violent incident would take place on campus tomorrow. Another hinted rival gangs were bringing weapons to school. A third cautioned a student would shoot everyone on a hit list.

These rumors spread through three Gwinnett high schools this month as students sent cellphone text messages to one another. The result was a panic —- and high absenteeism.

"My phone was ringing off the hook with parents asking me what they should do and what I was going to do," said Sherry Maloof, the PTA president at Peachtree Ridge High.

According to the text-fueled rumors, a shooting was going to happen Wednesday on the Peachtree Ridge campus. Nothing happened, but about 40 percent of the school's students were absent that day.

"I don't know how many people really believed the rumors," Maloof said, "but I think a lot of parents believed better to be safe than sorry."

Schools have dealt with bomb threats and gossip about violence for years, but text messaging gives wings to the rumor mill. Today's students belong to "Generation Text." They're skilled and quick at using this new technology. Parents, teachers and administrators are trying to catch up.

The three Gwinnett cases represent the first time the rumors have spread and escalated so quickly. Police and school official investigated the threats at Peachtree Ridge, Central Gwinnett and Duluth high schools. They found nothing to substantiate the rumors, but as a precaution, they increased police presence on each campus.

School officials have gone so far as to inspect students' cellphones to determine where the messages originated. Administrators also posted notes on school Web sites to negate the rumors.

In the Peachtree Ridge case, a 16-year-old student was charged with disruption of public schools and making terroristic threats. Other students may be charged.

Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks said more must be done.

"This is an issue of grave concern," Wilbanks said. "We're going to do everything in our power to ensure children are safe. We will move swiftly and investigate all threats. We need to be as proactive as we can, but how do we go about doing that?"

The question is one school leaders across the country are trying to answer, said Ken Trump, a school safety consultant.

"Students are texting these messages, but you can find out about them," Trump said. "You need strong relationships with students. Adults need to listen to what students are saying in the halls and the cafeteria. Do that and you will find out what's going on."

When school leaders learn of a threat, they must let parents know they are aware of the situation and are looking into it, Trump said. He suggested schools post updates on their Web sites and send text messages to parents explaining the situation.

Those actions may not be enough. Rumors caused about half the students at Central Gwinnett High to skip school March 3. On Wednesday, similar rumors caused about 300 Duluth High students to leave early.

The way students and parents respond to rumors depends on whether they trust the school, said Maloof, the Peachtree Ridge PTA leader.

"I'm involved in the school, so I know the people there and I believe if they really feel there is a concern they will let us know," she said. "I have faith in them. Maybe a parent not as connected won't be as comfortable."

Still, Maloof's son didn't go to school Wednesday. He skipped because of senioritis, not safety concerns, she said. Maloof's son dismissed the text messages as a prank.

"They're kids, so they text and they gossip," she said. "I don't know how schools can control that. They could try to ban cellphones, but parents want their kids to have cellphones just in case something happens."

District policy allows students to have cellphones on campus, but they are not permitted to use them during the regular school day. Policing cellphone use —- especially text messaging —- is difficult.

Students can text message by pushing buttons while the phones are in their pockets, said Steve Flynt, principal of Peachtree Ridge. They put their phones on vibrate so adults can't hear when new messages arrive, he said.

Flynt said students must tell adults if they get a message warning violence, instead of just forwarding it. One student forwarded the message just once, but sent it to all 80 people in her address book, Flynt said.

"We deal with rumors, you have to in schools," Flynt said. "Lots of time, it fizzles out. But this took on a life of its own. How do you control something that spins out of control?"

GWINNETT SCHOOLS' CELLPHONE POLICY

"The Gwinnett County Board of Education (BOE) permits students to have in their possession an electronic pager or communication device on a limited basis. However, the BOE prohibits the use by a student of any personal electronic communication device during school hours or on a school bus. The local school principal may set forth rules pertaining to student possession and use."