Students returning to Derby Middle School Wednesday morning will have their coats and their bags checked as part of a “reentry plan” two days after a threatening message was found written on a bathroom stall.
The kids will be met by staff members as they arrive at the school and bags will be checked in the gym before being allowed into the building, according to information supplied by Derby Schools Superintendent Matthew Conway.
“A reentry plan is in place for tomorrow to ensure all students feel safe,” Conway said in an email Tuesday afternoon.
School officials found a written threat within a girls’ bathroom about 11:45 a.m. Monday. The threat implied an explosive device and a gun would be used to hurt people at the school. Several teacher or student names were scribbled on the wall, too.
The incident touched off a three-hour “lock in” during which students could not go into the hallways as Derby police investigated.
No arrests have been reported in connection to the incident.
Late Monday Derby school officials decided to cancel school for Tuesday, saying they wanted to give Derby police time to investigate.
School officials also wanted more time to come up with a solid “reentry plan” to assure safety before classes resume.
Derby Police Chief Gerald Narowski said Tuesday he didn’t support closing the school, calling the move unnecessary because police quickly knew the threat wasn’t credible.
Click here for a previous story and scroll down to read a statement the chief issued Tuesday.
Conway said he didn’t want to share complete details of Wednesday’s “reentry plan” in order to maintain its integrity, but said parents were made aware of important procedures through messages sent Tuesday.
Once bags are checked, students will receive a hand stamp to enter the building from the gym and proceed to their first period classes.
Staffers are being told to teach as usual, but to reassure the students the building is safe.
The school also has an anonymous text messaging system in place where students can report unusual or questionable incidents without having to have their identity known.
Staff is also being directed to report any graffiti found in the school, and to lock the bathrooms.
