Possible Threat Seen At Hinsdale Central: Principal

HINSDALE, IL – A student alerted Hinsdale Central High School about a potential threat written on a restroom stall, the school announced Wednesday.

The school said it was working with security personnel and local police to investigate the matter.

While classes proceeded as planned, the campus was closed. Students were not permitted to leave, and parents were not allowed to pick up their children before the end of the school day, the school said.

Students in after-school activities were required to exit the building at dismissal and leave campus. Coaches and activity sponsors were to email these students to let them know about the status of practices and other events.

"We understand and appreciate that some families may be anxious or upset that we are not permitting students to leave the building prior to the end of the day," Principal Bill Walsh said in a mass email to Central families. "However, after consulting with security and law enforcement, we are taking these steps ... out of an abundance of caution, and believe they are necessary for keeping everyone safe."

Such messages are typically sent to families, but not media, a school spokesman later told Patch.

It was Hinsdale School District 181, a separate entity, that revealed the situation at Central to the media.

"After working with the D86 administration and law enforcement, we confirmed that the incident was isolated and specific to Hinsdale Central," District 181 spokesman Nick Shepkowski said in a message to families. "At no time was District 181 under any threat."