UPDATE: Jan. 30, 4:57 p.m. - To clarify statements publicly made by North Penn School District and Lansdale Borough Police Chief Michael Trail, there were two threats made against Penndale Middle School on Monday — one was the threat of an active shooter, and one was a bomb threat — however the actions of early dismissal and sweeping the buildings was precautionary in relation to the bomb threat.
You can read the district’s most recent statement below:
Dear North Penn Families and Staff,
The safety of our staff and students is of utmost importance, as is communicating so that we all have accurate information. Today, NPSD was notified by police in regard to a threat of a shooting received against Penndale Middle School that was made to a national crisis line. Upon learning of the threat, police immediately reported to the building and worked in collaboration with NPSD Security and Administration to investigate and sweep the building. Several police units and county detectives were on site for precautionary reasons.
The school was placed in a “Hold” which meant that students remained in their classrooms and did not traverse from one class to another. We also utilized a “Lock Out” as an additional precaution to keep students and staff safe, meaning no one was permitted to enter or leave the building. While NPSD personnel and law enforcement continued to investigate the situation, the school remained in a hold and lock out until approximately noon when we learned of a bomb threat. At that time, in consultation with police, Penndale was dismissed out of an abundance of caution.
At this time, we do not have reason to suspect that it was a Penndale student who made the threat. Rumors of students being taken out of school in handcuffs are not true. A decision regarding whether or not students and staff will report to Penndale tomorrow will be decided this evening in collaboration with local law enforcement. In the event that school is not in session, we would utilize a virtual day for Penndale.
Please understand that the investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided when we have any further information. I want to thank our local law enforcement for their assistance, as well as Penndale students, staff, and families for their cooperation today.
Sincerely,
Todd M. Bauer
Superintendent
Trail stated that district officials received a bomb threat earlier Monday morning, however he stressed that there has been no evidence to corroborate the threat at this time, and the security sweep is being conducted out of an abundance of caution.
All students and staff are currently safe.
The district issued a follow up email to parents at 12:13 p.m. to notify them of the early dismissal. The email reads, in full:
“Good afternoon Penndale families,
As you are aware, we received a concerning report this morning regarding a threat to Penndale Middle School. Police were immediately contacted and are working in collaboration with security, and administration. Several police units are on site for precautionary reasons. In an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to dismiss students early. Dismissal will begin shortly 12:30 p.m. and will be completed in phases with a heavy police presence. Students who are not assigned to a bus and who normally walk will be held until a guardian can pick them up. Please pick them up at the student drop off lot near the gymnasium at the corner of Penn and Church streets. Ninth grade students who started their day at the high school will be bussed home at the normal high school dismissal time (2:12 p.m.).
Students on the ski trip will return at their normally scheduled time at approximately 1:30 p.m. and parents will need to pick them up at the Educational Services Center, 401 East Hancock Street, Lansdale.
All evening activities are canceled at Penndale. We will provide an update when we have further information.
Thank you for your cooperation.”
Trail said Penn Street will be closed as police conduct their sweep of the campus. Parents or guardians who will be picking up students must do so at the bus circle on Church Road.
Original story follows…
Penndale Middle School in Lansdale Borough is currently in a “lock out” after receiving a threat against the school Monday morning.
North Penn School District sent an email to parents at 9:40 a.m. stating a threat had been made against the school and police, school security, and district officials were on scene to investigate the threat. Students have been placed in a “hold,” meaning they will remain in their classrooms and not traverse from one class to another, and the building has been placed under a “lock out,” meaning no one may enter or exit the building.
Students and staff are currently safe, according to the district, who added they will provide an update when more information becomes available. North Penn Now has reached out to the district to request additional details, and we will provide an update as soon as we receive a response.
See also:
Concerns Raised After Videos of Students Fighting at Penndale Surface Online, District Responds
Student Charged After Threatening to ‘Shoot Up’ Penndale Middle School
Penndale Middle School Locked Down Tuesday, Three BB Guns Found (UPDATED)
Penndale Memorial Garden Revitalized for Memorial Day Weekend
Penndale Student Named Top 300 MASTER in 2019 Broadcom MASTERS
