Waltham High School To Hold Meeting To Address Bomb Threats

WALTHAM, MA — Another day, another bomb threat directed to Waltham Public Schools. It seems a week doesn't go by any more in Waltham when parents aren't alerted to a bomb threat directed at a school. After almost a month of regular alerts, many parents are on edge and want to know just why the public meeting on the subject is two weeks away.

Others worry the city isn't taking the issue seriously after so many threats. An email to families today said the district was planning to send out a resource for parents on just how to talk to their children about the bomb threats.

But by late Wednesday, Gregory DeMeo, principal of Waltham High School invited families to a meeting set for Oct. 5.

"In light of the threats that Waltham and other communities have recently received, I would like to invite you to attend a parent/guardian meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm to review what the Waltham Public Schools are doing to keep our school safe. Waltham School Safety Officer Ann Frassica, WHS Student Resource Officers, and high school administration will be at this meeting for your questions," reads the note.

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There were bomb threats Wednesday at the high school, there were bomb threats on Monday, Sept. 25, Friday Sept. 22, Thursday Sept. 21, Wednesday, Sept. 20. On Tuesday, Sept. 19 there was a bomb threat directed to the district court, on Monday, Sept. 18 there was also a bomb threat reported to police.

For anyone following along there have been more than 45 bomb threats reported to police so far this month.

Compare that with August, when there were at least 31 threats reported and seven in July across the city.

Police, the mayor's office and the superintendent's office plan to host a joint public meeting next week to address the issue, and have outlined what steps they've already taken to ensure that the government agencies take the issue seriously, though they believe it to be part of a hoax.

On Monday not all parents received a reverse 911 alert, to the chagrin of many a parent, according to some parents. A school official said there have been a lot of issues with the reverse-911 system.

This was the message sent out to families this morning.

"This is the Superintendent's Office at Waltham Public Schools. This morning we received multiple bomb threats. All students and staff are safe. Waltham PD and school personnel conducted a search of all buildings. All buildings have been deemed safe and normal activities have resumed."

The second note is dated Sept. 26, but it arrived in emails Sept. 27

September 26, 2017

Dear Parents and Guardians:

In light of the threats that Waltham and other communities have recently received, I would like to invite you to attend a parent/guardian meeting on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 7:00 pm to review what the Waltham Public Schools are doing to keep our school safe. Waltham School Safety Officer Ann Frassica, WHS Student Resource Officers, and high school administration will be at this meeting for your questions.

Be assured that we are all very aware of your concerns regarding the continuing threats that our schools are receiving. We hope you will join us on Thursday, October 5 in the Cannon Lecture Hall.

Sincerely,
Gregory A. DeMeo
Principal

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