UPDATE Westport Schools Superintendent Colleen Palmer told parents today Staples High School was having an early dismissal due to an “abundance of caution.”
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Westport police cars were outside Staples High School today after Superintendent of Schools Coleen Palmer said “some information that has been uncovered during the school day” and ordered an early dismissal. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com
Police scheduled a 4 p.m. news conference at Police Headquarters to provide an update on the situation from Palmer, Police Chief Foti Koskinas, and First Selectman jim Marpe.
One day after the Board of Education discussed school safety and possibly putting a police school resource officer (SRO) at Staples, Palmer sent this email to parents at 1:06 p.m.:
“There is no known threat at this time, but out of an abundance of caution due to some information that has been uncovered during the school day, Staples High School will be dismissed at approximately 1:15 p.m. this afternoon.
“Until dismissal, students and staff have been asked to shelter in place.
“WPD is on site with support. Please do not disrupt our dismissal by coming to the high school at this time. All after-school activities at Staples are canceled. Further communication will be forthcoming.”
Police dispatched at least three patrol cars to the school at mid-day, an action apparently related to the information uncovered. Also, most day shift cars on the road were ordered to remain on duty pending further word.
One student said there was an announcement over the school’s public address system telling students to shelter in place until buses arrived.
On Monday, Staples Principal James D’Amico said a lockdown drill was scheduled for the school later this week.
No exact time was announced and, according to the student, D’Amico said in his announcement it was not part of the planned drill.
“In my class, there were a few gasps of shock, and most people started murmuring to each other, but stayed attentive to the announcement,” said Brandon Main, 14, a freshman.
“Afterwards, students got up from their seats and started checking the news, twitter and texting their parents and loved ones.
“Principal D’Amico make it clear over the PA system that the school was safe.
“He also added that the police department was on scene, and that there would be an organized dismissal.”
