Friday morning, after students left their homes for their walking or bus commute to Beacon’s High School and Middle Schools, but just before Elementary School students began their journey to school, a robo-call went out from Beacon’s Superintendent Matthew Landahl explaining that a threat had been made to Beacon’s Rombout Middle School, and that students of all schools would be on a “lock out” status with the protection of the Beacon Police.

Said Dr. Landahl: “I am communicating with an important safety message. The Beacon Police Department is working with us to evaluate a threat to Rombout Middle School that was called in. Beacon High School and Rombout Middle School are currently in a lock out which means students are safe in their classes and can move between classes during class changes. Our elementary schools will be operating under the same procedures when they start. There will be law enforcement at each of our buildings for arrival and throughout the day. Our initial evaluation of this is that it is a false threat and we will update you when we know more.”

This is not the first false threat that the Beacon City School District has received. Dr. Landahl is quick to update the district community when threats like this are made. However, it is one of the only ones where the students were in an active lock out that was not a drill.

One parent, when texting their child to find out where exactly they were in the building, was corrected by their child, when they asked the status: “Are you still in the lock down?” the parent asked. “We are in a lock out, Mommy.” Oh.

As Dr. Landahl stated, the students were able to move throughout their class schedule, attending classes. ALBB was told that some students spent part of their class time, in between iReady reading sessions, whispering how they would get out, before being quieted by their teacher for chatting too much and to focus on their classwork. Some sharpened their pencils, to feel safe. Others decided who would throw the class microwave at anyone deemed suspicious and unsafe entering their room.

At South Avenue Elementary, a Beacon Police Officer let in the students, instead of Security Guard Pat Cooper (pictured above). Parents who were late were hopeful that tardy slips would not be given this time. The Police Officer on Front Door duty was not sure on the day’s procedure for tardy slips.

In the case of South Avenue, Police Officer Donovan (pictured above) was stationed there for the entire day. ALBB asked about how he got his lunch, and he said he thankfully had packed, although admin staff offered him take-out. Teachers were noticeably stressed at the release of the children at the end of the day, making sure to get each child to their parent waiting outside. Lots of hugs were received, and the day continued.

All is well thank goodness.