Threat Sends Most Of Rockville HS Home Early For Thanksgiving

VERNON, CT — A bomb threat at Rockville High School Wednesday turned what was to be a half-day to kick off the Thanksgiving recess into an optional full day off.

Wednesday night's football game was still on with a 6:30 kickoff, officials said. Some students remained after the building was deemed secure and actually ate lunch at RHS. Most students who were sent home during the evacuation remained home.

Police said they were alerted to a threatening e-mail sent to the school at about 7 a.m. Students were already in the building, but a member of the senior class said a fire alarm went off at about 7:30 a.m. to evacuate the building. It forced students out to a chilly drizzle while police arrived in force.

Police said there appeared to be no direct threat to any students, but, per protocol, a state police bomb squad was called in, Town Manager and Emergency Management Director Michael Purcaro said.

Students with cars were being sent home early and parents dropping students off were being turned around. As buses arrived, students who were already on campus prior to the threat were allowed to board them to stay dry while a bus dismissal procedure was organized.

Once state police were able to sweep the auditorium, students were allowed inside, but isolated to that facility, Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said. By 9:15, the school was "open," but most students had gone home. One lunch wave was organized, Macary said.

"Safety is, of course, our priority, so the students have the day," Macary said. He added a safe place on campus will be available for those who needed to wait for transportation or who want to remain in school, once it is cleared by state police.

Vernon Center Middle School and the town's five elementary schools were operating under a half-day schedule Wednesday, but parents were being advised about possible bus delays.

Vernon police said they were investigating the origin of the e-mail.

Macary issued the following statement:

"Rockville High School is back to normal operations today - Wednesday, November 22, 2023. This morning we received a bomb threat from an e-mail around 7AM. The Vernon Police Department was immediately called and in their initial investigation determined the threat was a hoax. Per protocol and out of an abundance of caution, the CT State Police Canine Unit responded to Rockville High School. Students and staff were temporarily placed in the school auditorium while the remainder of the building was cleared by the Vernon Police Department. As of 9:15AM, Rockville High School is back to normal operations. That includes the cafeteria lunches, athletic activities, and academic classes. This was not a credible threat and law enforcement is continuing to investigate, including the possibility that it is related to similar threats that have occurred across the country recently. There will be a Vernon Police presence at the school for the remainder of the day. The safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority. Reminder, there is a scheduled early dismissal today for Vernon Schools."