Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for November 28, 2006 REAL THREAT OR PRANK?

From the Southern Illinoisan...

Johnston City school to open under lockdown Tuesday

BY THE SOUTHERN

Another note threatening a school shooting at Washington School in Johnston City was found at the end of school today.

Mike Rude, principal of the school, said unlike the threat that occurred more than a week ago, this one is a threat for school tomorrow, Tuesday.

"We will put our crisis plan into action," he said.

This means that kids will enter the building tomorrow and be in lockdown status. Lockers, among other things, were beginning to be searched Monday afternoon and police were notified.

Rude wanted to notify parents that students can be brought to school.

From the WPSD TV Channel 6 Web site...

IL: Shooting Threat At Johnston City School, 2nd in 3 Weeks

John Knicely,
WPSD NewsChannel 6

The threat of a school shooting has police on alert in Johnston City, Illinois and has parents on edge. For the 2nd time in 3 weeks, Washington School officials in Johnston City, Illinois found a note threatening a shooting. The first threat came up empty, but the note found Monday threatened a shooting at 9:30 am on Tuesday.

"I"m sorry to hear this again," said Vicki Glasco, the mother of a 7th grader at Washington. "It's scary, very scary."

Principal Mike Rude and security searched through lockers on Monday night for anything suspicious. Rude says their emergency plan is already in place. Students will only be allowed to use one entry door in and out of the school which houses K-8th grades. Also, while they are in class, the doors to the classrooms will be locked.

"We expect parents will keep kids at home. Although we have 4 or 5 staff members that will be here who have kids that will be here also," Rude said.

As of Monday night, Glasco was still unsure whether she would send her daughter.

"I have to think about it you know. This is the 1st I've heard about it. I was really hesitant the last time to send her," Glasco said.

School leaders still haven't determined who wrote the first note found on Monday, November 13th, but Rude feels confidant the person responsible this time will be identified. He says police do not think the same person wrote both notes. They appear to be in different hand writing and were found in different parts of the school.