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Despite threats, Sycamore High School to resume classes
Classes will resume Tuesday at Sycamore High School despite a threat of violence against the school on Sunday.
Sunday at a local Sycamore business, a threat of violence against the school for Tuesday was found by an employee of the business.
The threat did not go into specifics about how the violence would take place, but did say it would take place at Sycamore High School, said Dr. Wayne Riesen, Superintendant of Sycamore school district 427.
Riesen didn’t know what type of medium the threat was on.
“It was written on a surface at an off-site location. It mentioned the high school, and mentioned tomorrow’s date,” said Sycamore Police Chief Don Thomas.
Thomas could not comment on what surface the threat was written on, but said the Sycamore Police Department is investigating it.
Uniformed police officers will be stationed at some locations inside and outside the school, as well as officers in plain clothes throughout the school, Thomas said.
“There will be a visible uniform presence inside and outside the school,” he said.
Entry and exit will only be allowed through the school’s main doors, and all doors will remain locked throughout the day.
No back-packs, bags or purses will be permitted on Tuesday and those brought will be searched and checked into the main office till the end of the day, according to the Sycamore High School Web site.
Student mobility will be limited throughout the day and students may only leave classes with an adult escort.
“This is how these kind of threats are being handled now,” Thomas said. “This is a model being followed by most public schools and facilities.”
Parents who feel the need to excuse their student from class on Tuesday are asked to call the attendance office. Counselors are available to talk to students, and a reward is being offered to anyone who assists in the arrest of those responsible for the threat, according to the web site.
“What happened at Northern has elevated every ones awareness of potential violence,” Riesen said. “Its an unfortunate sign of the times in which we live.”
No school was held on Monday, March 3 to observe Pulaski Day.
“We’re in the middle of a three day weekend. In some ways the extra day helped us to prepare, in some ways it kind of handcuffed us to get the word out to parents and students.”
Anyone with information, concerns, or questions can contact the Sycamore Police Department at 815-895-3435. Ask for Lt. Darrell Johnson, Sgt. Steve Cook, or Chief Don Thomas.
The Sycamore High School attendance office can be reached at 815-899-813.
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