The Port Townsend School District confirmed the high school went into “temporary modified lockdown” on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 26
Superintendent Linda Rosenbury and Port …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
A two-hour lockdown Thursday morning, Sept. 26, at Port Townsend High School, spurred by an online threat to a student, has been lifted. No students were injured, school officials said.
“All students are safe and there is no general threat to the school,” Principal Sean Moss wrote in a prepared statement sent electronically to parents at 10:30 a.m.
The “temporary modified lockdown” began at 9:10 a.m. and ended shortly before 11:10 a.m.
“The student who allegedly made the threat attends another school,” Moss stated, noting that the lockdown was initiated “out of an abundance of caution.”
“The targeted student is receiving additional support including a staff escort,” Moss said.
All students were directed to their classrooms, and the buildings were locked from the outside, Moss said.
In announcing the end of the lockdown, Superintendent Linda Rosenbury reported that the student who allegedly made the threat is now with the police.
The student who allegedly made the threat attends another school, Moss said in his statement.
“The targeted student is receiving additional support including a staff escort,” Moss said.
Rosenbury wrote in her message that the school district worked with its threat assessment team, which includes the Port Townsend Police Department, to keep all students safe, and to communicate with students and families.
“All students are safe and classes are continuing as normal,” Rosenbury said.
Port Townsend Police Chief Thomas Olson confirmed that patrol cars were in the area, looking for a “person of concern” whom they have since located.
According to Olson, no streets were blocked off by police, and they are not at liberty to release further details about the “person of concern,” due to their status as a minor.
Moss noted the school district’s protocol for such situations is outlined in its code of conduct, which lists five steps of response:
1. Increase supervision of the students of concern.
2. Communicate with anyone who is the target of a threat.
3. Conduct a threat assessment to determine the level of the threat.
4. Create safety protocols for all those involved in alleged threats.
5. Communicate safety plans with school staff and any student involved.
Rosenbury thanked the school district’s staff and threat assessment team, as well as the Port Townsend Police Department, for their “quick response and transparent communication.”
