Every day since Wednesday, someone has left a threatening note at Highland Park High School. The first note prompted no action save for an email to parents, but the second note caused officials to close the campus at 2:40 pm Thursday. The presence of a third note comes at a time of heightened security following the series of suspicious letters.
Police and bomb squad members performed an extensive search of the school grounds Thursday evening but found nothing of consequence. The school reopened at the normal time on Friday morning, but by 11 am reports of a third note surfaced.
When reached by phone, director of communications Helen Williams confirmed the note's existence. "Because we do not feel there is any threat to safety, we are continuing the school day as usual," Williams said. "We feel it's important." This information was communicated to parents by email.
Dear HPISD Parents & Staff,
The University Park Police are investigating a third threatening note that was found today in a bathroom at Highland Park High School.
HPHS leaders and police are confident that this is a continued hoax and that there is no safety risk to students or staff in the building. The entire building has been searched repeatedly by safety officials and bomb-sniffing dogs and has been closely monitored over the last two days. Therefore, we are planning to proceed with the school day as usual, as it is important not to continue to disrupt and cancel school due to this apparent hoax.
We are continuing to investigate and interview students, and we hope to have resolution on this situation very soon. Anyone with information is strongly encouraged to contact school or police officials immediately.
The safety of our students, parents and staff members is a top priority, and we will continue to keep you informed.
