Threats made to school
By Nathan Mayberg
WANTAGE — A person called the Wantage Elementary School Tuesday morning threatening harm to people at the school, causing a lockdown and a response from multiple police agencies on Monday.
State police, the Sussex County Sheriff's Department and Sussex County Prosecutor's Office responded to the school after an employee reported the call at about 9:50 a.m., State Police Lt. Brian Polite said.
Law enforcement set up a perimeter outside the school building and walked through the building and around the area outside the building without incident, Polite said.
Police remained in the vicinity of the school throughout the day until classes were over, he said.
The lockdown lasted about an hour, Sussex-Wantage Regional School Superintendent Dr. Jeanne Apryasz said.
Classes resumed as normal after the lockdown was lifted.
State police are investigating the source of the call, Polite said.
Apryasz said that parents were notified after the lockdown began through the district's notification system, which includes phone, text or email messages depending on how a parent signs up. They were also notified after the lockdown was over.
A message to parents was posted on the school's website which said, "Mr. Gall and the school counselors collaborated on a unified message to the students" in each homeroom and class following the lockdown.
That message was:
“Mr. Gall and your teacher are very proud of the way you responded during today's lockdown. We know it may be scary when police officers come into our school like they did, but there is nothing to be afraid of because they were here to protect us. Even though today was not a drill, we have practice drills so we are prepared. Everyone was safe and sound. If you feel like you need to talk to me or Mrs. Lain about it, please let me know. Don’t be afraid to talk to your parents about your feelings. Thank you and once again, great job today!
We encourage you to speak with your children about today’s lock down but to limit the discussion to age appropriate information."
The website included a list of tips for parents on how to speak with their children.
Apryasz said children and teachers followed the security measures and handled the emergency well.
"It was very well organized and calm," she said. "The police did their jobs extremely well."
"Luckily, it was short-lived."