Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 9/27/2022
NORTHAMPTON – During a special meeting on Sept. 22, the Northampton School Committee discussed updated safety protocols for schools in wake of a recent bomb threat at Northampton High School.
On Sept. 13, police responded to a bomb threat aimed at the high school. Police arrived around 2 p.m. that day along with Northampton Fire Rescue and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad. Students were dismissed around 3:45 p.m. The potential threat was based on statements made in a group text exchange involving some students.
As a result of the incident, interim Superintendent Jannell Pearson-Campbell provided a review of high school incident and safety protocols.
Under current protocols, the district requires that 911 be called whenever there is a potential bomb threat so that the situation can be assessed, and appropriate action is taken by public safety personnel.
Details involving the incident
During the incident on Sept. 13, the high school issued a stay-in-place, the JFK Middle School issued a lockdown; Bridge Street, Leeds and Jackson Street Elementary issued a stay-in-place, Ryan Road Elementary was directed to continue dismissal, and then all remaining schools were dismissed as recommended by the police department.
The day following the incident, Pearson-Campbell met with Police Chief Jody Kasper, Captain Vic Caputo and Director of Nursing Lisa Safron. Additionally, each building conducted a debriefing meeting with staff, and buildings also met with students to provide support. Social workers and guidance counselors were also available to offer more student support in the buildings the day following the incident.
Due to privacy laws, the district is only allowed to provide limited information, however, Pearson-Campbell issued a following statement about the incident, and the district administration reviewed all communications from caregivers, the Northampton Association of School Employees, and others in the school community.
Next Steps
In wake of the incident, the district will review and amend bomb threat and other emergency policies with the Police Department, school attorney and special education attorney so they are “up-to-date and conform with best practices.”
Additionally, the crisis team-made up of building principals, the director of student services, the director of nursing services and the Police Department will be performing an ongoing review of the safety plans for districtwide bomb threats, and the police department will provide training to schools for a formal communication when an emergency occurs. According to Pearson-Campbell, the district will specifically partner with Detective Sergeant Corey Robinson to review the safety process.
As far as daily operations go, the district plans to keep buildings locked, and visitors will be buzzed in and asked to sign in at the office.
In the event of reunification after an emergency at a school, educators will bring their class to an alternative site. When this occurs, staff will be assigned to a classroom, and one staff member will connect to greet or check with caregivers.
To connect with family, the district will provide a “consistent message” about what is going on, and other messages will be sent to caregivers if students are released by bus, walkers or pick-ups.
School Committee and superintendent thoughts
“I would like to acknowledge my administration because we have so many people come in to support our schools,” said Pearson-Campbell, regarding the incident. “We all worked together to communicate in our buildings on what needs to be supported to understand what’s a lock down and what’s a stay-in-place.”
“I know this was unexpected, and I apologize to families,” Pearson-Campbell continued. “I know this was stressful, but at the same time, we’re also looking at how we move forward to make sure there is training, because we have new staff coming on and new administration.”
The School Committee commended Pearson-Campbell for her administrative response to the situation and posed some thoughts about the future of crisis response.
During the conversation, Ward 1 committee member Meg Robbins brought up the idea of keeping children at the forefront when a lockdown occurs. “I’m hoping we’re … finding a way to reassure kids with cell phones or give them enough information so their parents are reassured, or, if it’s really a terrible situation, to let [students] know that,” said Robbins. “I want to keep the kids very much in the forefront of not being the last to know about why they’re being locked down in a classroom.”
School Committee Vice Chair Gwen Agna also commended Pearson-Campbell for her response during a difficult post-coronavirus pandemic time, since it has been a couple of years since children consistently went through drills.
“I had participated in many trainings and drills as a possible, and the district has been pretty vigilant about keeping current and doing best practices,” said Agna. “And we’re guided by the Northampton Police Department, who are very astute and current in their best practices around safety in schools.”
Ward 3 member Emily Serafy-Cox reflected on the situation as someone who had a child present at school the day of the bomb threat. “The primary emotion that I have and had at that time is gratitude,” said Serafy-Cox. “I knew that there were adults in those situations who were looking out for my kid and the kids in the district.”