UPDATED: ‘Unsubstantiated Threat’ Leads To Increased Police Presence At Middle School

UPDATED: 3:36 p.m., Monday:

Carl Sandburg Middle School Principal Dawn Kelly released an updated letter:

This a follow up to my earlier message regarding a possible threat at Carl Sandburg Middle School. This incident stemmed from a social media post stating ‘not to attend school tomorrow.’ Through the investigation and support of the Middletown Township Police Department, Central Administration and the staff here at Carl Sandburg, we are confident this post was not a credible threat! We continue to encourage students, staff, and parents — if you see or hear something, say something. This allows us to collectively work together in keeping our children and school safe. Please know the safety of our students and staff is a priority for me as the Principal of Carl Sandburg. I will continue to work diligently and collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure safety here at school.

In the future, we ask the following of students and parents:

1. Continue listening and reporting concerns; students and parents/guardians are important resources of information.

2. Please report the rumor as soon as you receive it to the school or to the police.

3. Never pass the rumor on (excellent talking point with your children). Help us not spread the rumor to others as it just adds to the time required to track the rumor from person to person to determine the validity.

Original Story: 

An “unsubstantiated threat by an anonymous source” will lead to an increased police presence at a Neshaminy School District building Tuesday.

In a letter to parents sent overnight, the district said the threat was posted to social media and focused on Carl Sandburg Middle School in Middletown’s Levittown section.

“At this time, the police have determined that this is not a credible threat but, as a precautionary measure, they will have a strong, increased presence in our school complex tomorrow,” Sandburg Principal Dawn Kelly wrote.

The district investigated the threat along with police.

“Please be assured that the nature of this situation prompted an immediate and serious response on the part of the administration at Neshaminy School District. Acts like this are disruptive to the education of our students and potentially jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of our school community. We will continue to investigate this hoax. When we are able to determine the identity of the perpetrator, we will administer appropriate discipline and pursue legal action,” Kelly wrote.

The principal thanked the community for reporting the information.