Person Near Elmhurst School Leads To 'Soft Lockdown': Principal

ELMHURST, IL – A person near Fischer Elementary School on Thursday morning prompted a "soft lockdown," the principal said in an email to families.

A soft lockdown limits movement in a school but largely allows classes to continue as normal.

The measure was taken because of reports of "an individual on school grounds but away from the building," Principal Efrain Martinez said.

"The police were at the school and spoke with the individual and determined that there was no threat," Martinez said in the message. "At no time were students in danger and learning was not interrupted."

The principal said school employees are available if students have questions or need someone to speak with.

A couple of parents provided the message to Patch. Elmhurst School District 205 has declined to include Patch on email lists, even district-wide ones, that involve student safety.

Last week, Patch reported on how five Elmhurst schools have responded to perceived threats since August. Patch received its information through a public records request.

Editor's note: Elmhurst School District 205 is not sending communications about perceived threats to Patch without a formal Freedom of Information Act request. If you get such a message from the district, please send it to david.giuliani@patch.com. Do not assume that Patch already has it. We will not reveal your identity.