Heightened Security Continues in District 113A After Bomb Threat

Officials in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A said heightened security measures will continue at Oakwood School on Tuesday—two days after police found a bomb threat written in chalk on one of the building's exterior walls.

Lemont police were present at both Oakwood and River Valley schools Monday morning in light of the threat, which was discovered Sunday afternoon by an officer patrolling the area. The message indicated that Oakwood would be bombed on Tuesday.

Although the threat was specific to Oakwood, River Valley—which shares a campus with Oakwood—took the same precautionary measures.

The Cook County Sheriff's K-9 Unit searched the interior and exterior of both schools Monday morning, and found no evidence of a bomb, according to District 113A Superintendent Susan Birkenmaier.

Although police have said the threat against Oakwood was not credible, extra precaution will also be taken Tuesday, Birkenmaier said.

"The Lemont Police Department continues to investigate (the incident)," Birkenmaier said in a press release. "All threats are taken seriously, and we will follow any leads on information to discover who is responsible for this threat."

No information was available as to who wrote the message. According to the District 113A handbook, students who damage school property and/or engage in threatening activities could face suspension or even expulsion.

In March, Old Quarry Middle School initiated a soft lockdown and canceled after-school activities after a bomb threat was found on a bathroom wall during school hours. 

READ: Bomb Threat Prompts Soft Lockdown at Old Quarry Middle School

Birkenmaier said school officials never determined who wrote the message at Old Quarry. She encouraged parents and students with information to contact the district at 630-257-2286.

Tips for Talking to Kids about School Safety

District 113A provided the following tips for discussing school safety with students:

• Be honest with your child.
• Plan ahead and give your child information that will help them understand why routines might be different from other days.
• Remember not all children come to school with the same information.
• Talk with your child at their personal level of understanding and maturity. Do not include details that only an adult can understand.
• It is okay to tell your child that something unsafe might happen at school but also remind your child that about the safety measures that are in place.
• Remind your child that they practice safety drills at school. If helpful, review safety procedures with your child.
• Tell your child that if they feel unsafe, scared or have a question, they should go to their teacher or another trusted adult, and describe their feelings or ask questions.
• Tell them that the school has two jobs: to keep them safe, and to help them learn.
• While every adult at school today has a different job (teacher, police officer, news reporter) we are all focused on keeping them safe.

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