Following an unconfirmed report of a student seen with a gun at one of the high schools last Thursday, the schools were placed on lockdown while a massive police presence investigated the possibility of an armed student. Tensions were high in light of the fatal shootings at Oxford High School only a week before and police and school administrators exercised extreme caution in efforts to protect students. Dismissal was delayed for more than two hours while police thoroughly searched the building. No firearm was found, and police determined there was no threat to students.
District administrators cancelled classes at all three high schools on Friday and moved classes to virtual learning this week which will continue, according to a news release, until after the winter break. Classes are set to resume with in person learning on Jan. 3.
Superintendent of Schools Monica Merritt has issued regular statements and communications to parents, reassuring them of students' safety and the decisions of school administration.
“After immediately being notified by school administration, law enforcement officials conducted a thorough search of every classroom and office space in all P-CEP buildings before clearing the buildings for the safe, supervised release of students and staff.
“We want to confirm that there were no weapons found on the P-CEP campus today and there were no injuries to any students or staff.”
“We would like to express an overwhelming sense of gratitude to our local, state, and federal law enforcement officials and first responders for their immediate support, both on-site and behind the scenes, to ensure the safety of our students and staff at all times. Their quick response, preparedness, and professionalism led the way for us to maintain composure and control of our environment throughout this crisis.
“We are also extremely grateful to our teachers, staff, and school security team, for their professionalism in maintaining a sense of stability and calm throughout the afternoon. The supportive environment created by our staff allowed our students to feel safe and cared for, reflecting exceptional implementation of years of training for emergency situations. We want to applaud our students for their perseverance and cooperation, as experiences like these can be traumatic,” Merritt said in a statement to district families.
