South Plainfield High School back in building after note prompts evacuation

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

South Plainfield High School evacuated; superintendent says all students, staff are safe

Lori Stokes has the story on an ongoing investigation that caused a New Jersey high school evacuation.

SOUTH PLAINFIELD (WABC) -- Students have returned after a bomb threat forced the evacuation of South Plainfield High School.

Students were moved to the Middle School and Grant School as a precaution around 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.

The school superintendent, Thomas Gialanella, says police and bomb-sniffing dogs searched the building and did not find any explosives.

Teachers and students were back in the building by noon, and classes will be dismissed at their normal time.

Gialanella had posted the following messages on the district website:

"As of today at 9:30 am, the high school was evacuated to the Middle School and Grant School. All students are safe, and the police are presently investigating the situation. Our students, teachers, administrators and police train for these situations. Again all students and staff are safe and once we have more information, we will communicate to parents. Please continue to check the district website for further updates on the situation.

A follow-up message on the website read as follows:

"As you know there currently is an ongoing incident that caused authorities to evacuate the high school to the Middle School and Grant School. In order to maintain order and minimize disruptions for the Middle School and Grant school students, we ask that parents continue to monitor the District's website for updates, and refrain from going to pick up their child. High school students and staff at these buildings are following appropriate District protocols to maintain a safe and orderly environment. The police continue to conduct their investigation. All procedures are being followed and it is clear that the practice drills we hold in each of our schools assisted in readying the students and staff for this incident. School schedules are operating on a modified schedule to minimize disruptions to Grant and Middle School students. Thank you for your patience and support. Again all students and staff are safe and once we have more information we will communicate to parents."