Multiple schools in the Kansas City area received threats this week.
Raytown South High School
On Tuesday, Raytown South High School went into lockdown at 11:15 a.m. in response to a reported bomb threat.
According to the Raytown School District, at 10:50 a.m., Kansas City police received a 911 bomb threat, and they informed Raytown police. Officers went to Raytown South and brought dogs to search the school.
Authorities cleared the school and the lockdown was lifted around 12:25 p.m. Tuesday. The school district said it would continue to work with the Raytown Police Department as it continues to investigate.
Oak Grove High School
On Wednesday, Oak Grove High School was put on lockdown after officials said they received information about an alleged explosive device.
Linda Williams, the Oak Grove School District Assistant Superintendent, said around noon an email alleged an explosive device was in the Oak Grove High School gym.
Williams said the threat was taken seriously and the students were evacuated.
Oak Grove police, Jackson County deputies and bomb-sniffing dogs conducted a “thorough search of the area,” according to Williams.
The threat was determined to lack credibility and at 1:45 p.m. Wednesday, the school was given the all clear.
Grain Valley High School
On Thursday, Grain Valley High School was put on lockdown after the school received a threat via email.
Grain Valley police and a K-9 unit from Kansas City police conducted a sweep of the school, and they determined the threat was not credible.
The lockdown was lifted around 11 a.m. Thursday.
Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit West High Schools
On Thursday, law enforcement officials investigated email messages sent to staff members at Lee’s Summit North High School and Lee’s Summit West High School.
According to an email sent to parents at the two schools, three staff members received a message early Thursday morning that stated, “There is a bomb in the school."
The email sent by the Lee’s Summit School District also stated police officials did not recommend that they evacuate the schools or cancel classes.
The email from the district stated “Potential threats to the safety of our students and staff are something we take very seriously, but based on the investigation there is no evidence that these e-mails are a credible threat.”
The email the school district sent parents reads in full:
“Subject line: Sharing information about precautions taken today due to e-mail messages
Dear Families,
I wanted to share information about precautions taken today related to e-mail messages received by staff members at two of our school district’s high schools, including Lee’s Summit North and Lee’s Summit West. The message, which simply stated “There is a bomb in the School,” was received early this morning by a staff member at LSNHS and two staff members at LSWHS. Unfortunately, several schools in the metropolitan area have received very similar messages in the last few days, and schools nationally have received similar messages.
Our school staff immediately reported the e-mail messages to law-enforcement officials who began an investigation. In addition, all staff members at our school were notified of the e-mail messages early this morning and were asked to be extra vigilant regarding their surroundings. Staff have also been asked to immediately report any suspicious activity as an extra precaution. We are working closely with law enforcement and are following their recommendations based on this thorough investigation. Based on the results of this investigation, police officials have not recommended that we evacuate our school or cancel classes. Potential threats to the safety of our students and staff are something we take very seriously, but based on the investigation there is no evidence that these e-mails are a credible threat.
If we have additional information to share related to these e-mails, we will send it to our families. As always, maintaining a safe and caring learning environment for our students and staff members is our top priority. Please feel free to contact our school if you have questions or any information you would like to share.”
Winnetonka High School
The Clay County Sheriff said a bomb threat was made at Winnetonka High School Thursday afternoon. The school went into "Lock & Teach" while the building and the grounds were searched. The Clay County Sheriff said after the search, the threat was determined to be unsubstantiated. The investigation is ongoing.
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