Carpenter Students Offer Thanks for Lockdown Calm

A suspect wanted in connection to a murder investigation was spotted outside the campus grounds.n, but the children, for the most part, were unaware of the commotion outside.

Five helicopters darted across the skies, hundreds of officers were roaming the streets, and the busiest intersections of Studio City were blocked off around lunchtime, but the students remained calm. Parents were notified by three robo-calls by Principal Joe Martinez what was going on, and his voice sounded calm and assuring.

"Frankly, with police officers on campus and all the police around, this was the safest place for the children to be," Martinez said.

PTA President Andrew Barrett-Weiss said, "I don't think this could have been handled any better. The parents were kept informed, the children were all safe and calm, and we thank the school for having such a thorough emergency plan."

The principal and staff were honored with two giant signs—big cards of thanks. They are on display in the front office hallways of Carpenter.