Police To Remain At Pennsbury High School For Rest Of Year

FALLSINGTON, PA —Police will remain at Pennsbury High School for the rest of the year following a threat that prompted classes to go virtual Friday, school officials said.

Schools Superintendent Thomas A. Smith and High School Campus Principal Reggie Meadows said that the Falls Township Police will be on campus starting Monday until the end of the school year.

School officials said the origin of Friday’s social media posting is still being investigated but was determined not to be credible.

School administration at 11 p.m. Thursday received several Safe2Say tips showing a screenshot from social media alleging a threat against the high school on Friday. School officials said the Falls Township Police Department was notified and the school district scheduled a virtual day of no live instruction.

Earlier last week, a student got into an altercation with a police officer at Pennsbury High School West. The altercation led to a temporary lockdown of the high school.

In an email Friday afternoon, Smith and Meadows said that "we recognize that the events of this week have been stressful for all of us."

School administration and local law enforcement met several times to deconstruct what happened and to review and improve security and safety procedures.

School officials were planning on sharing information with students as they returned to school Monday regarding school security language and terminology and situations where restricted movement in a school may occur:

• Lockdown —ALICE protocol initiated due to an intruder or significant security breach.
• Hold —Used when there is a need for the halls to remain empty, meaning the issue is inside the building. Examples: Student disruption or medical emergency that requires hallways to be clear for a short period of time.
• Secure —Enacted when a threat or hazard is outside of the school and movement outside of the school building is restricted. Example: Police emergency taking place near the school.

In the event of any of the instances listed above, school officials said they will use "very specific language" when communicating with staff and students. Each action will include language so students and staff clearly understand the situation and how to react. This information will be clearly communicated through continued security and safety training sessions and drills. We will also place signage in the hallways and classrooms so all stakeholders are aware of the proper terminology.

With the end of the school year approaching, the following will be implemented immediately:

• Falls Township Police will be present at both PHS East and West for the remainder of the school year.
• Regardless of weather conditions, shuttle buses will run between campuses to transport students who choose not to walk the path.
• Enhanced real-time communication: Expanding the use of the Runva software system to students to provide real-time alerts, information, and direct communication to determine who is safe and who may need help. The district will share information regarding the Pennsbury SD and Reach (to replace Remind) Apps. Details will be shared in the near future.
• Additional security staff on the high school campus for the foreseeable future.
• Commitment to student mental health and an expansion of programs and services to proactively address student behaviors before they start and effectively discipline students when behaviors do occur.
• Pennsbury uses Safe2Say, an anonymous tip line, to alert us to any individual who may be struggling and/or in danger of causing harm to themselves or others. Every tip is investigated.