Updated: Carlsbad High Takes Student's Threat of Violence at School on Dec. 21 Seriously

Updated Dec. 20 at 9:25 a.m

The following is from the City of Carlsbad Police Department emailed to Patch on 12/20/12:

Upon investigation, the City of Carlsbad Police Department found no evidence of an actual threat to the school.  The police department did the following:

1.       Carlsbad police became aware of the rumors on December 17 at 9:22 a.m.

2.       We took the rumors very seriously, met with the school administration and evaluated the situation.

3.       We interview numerous students, the student in question and the student’s parent.

4.       We found no evidence of a threat to the school.

5.       We are continually monitoring the situation and will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the safety of the school.

The following is a school messenger message from the Superintendent December 19th

Good Morning Carlsbad Unified Parents. This is Superintendent Suzette Lovely providing you an updated report about recent questions and concerns that have arisen in the aftermath of the CT school shooting.

Last Friday, our world was shattered as we learned of the unthinkable events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. As we continue to watch these events unfold in the media, our worries about the safety of our own children have continued to mount.

Rumors, social media chatter, and threats (both real and perceived) all contribute to these growing worries. One recent threat made by a student at Carlsbad High School has been particularly unsettling to us all. This threat was isolated to the high school and has been fully investigated with the assistance of law enforcement and mental health professionals. We have been assured by the Carlsbad Police Department that the student who made the threat has neither the intention nor means to act upon it. The student is not in attendance at school this week.

As your Superintendent, I want to reassure our parents that schools, particularly our schools in Carlsbad, remain some of the safest places in America. Your children’s teachers, principals and support staff are trained to react quickly and calmly to even the remotest sign of trouble.

The Carlsbad Police Department continues to maintain a visible presence in and around our campuses, and in particular at Carlsbad High School. We have no reason to believe any of our schools or students are in harm’s way. Therefore, all schools within CUSD will stay open for the remainder of the week, including Friday.

We will continue to keep families informed of any new or updated information through our District Webpage, twitter and Facebook.

I appreciate and applaud you as parents for the way you are helping your children process and move past the terrible events that happened in Connecticut.

Happy Holidays to all of you and may we find things to be joyful about in the ensuing Holiday Season.

The following was sent to CHS and CVA families on Dec. 18 at 10:30 a.m.

Dear Carlsbad High School and Carlsbad Village Academy Communities,  

I  am sending you this message to make our parents and surrounding communities aware that our administration, law enforcement and mental health professionals have been working together to respond to a threat that was made by  a CHS student prior to Friday’s Sandy Hook school shooting. Specifically, we have received reports the student told others he would cause harm on Friday, December 21st.

First, I want to reassure our CHS and CVA families that this student has not been on campus since last Friday. Second, we continue to remain in close contact with this students’ family as well as the local authorities to determine the appropriate next steps, while ensuring our campus continues to remain a safe environment for students. Third, because of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws, we are unable to disclose the identity of this student or release additional information about our investigation.

Our administration will continue to follow the Education Code and work with local authorities, school psychologists and mental health providers to address any additional threats that may surface in the aftermath of this tragedy. We appreciate the vigilance of our students and parents in reporting any suspicious statements or activities they may learn about. All threats or potential threats are taken seriously and investigated by the school administration. 

In the wake of this recent threat, we have asked for and been granted a greater security presence from Carlsbad Police Department in the ensuing days to help  everyone feel more secure.   What occurred last Friday in Connecticut has affected communities across the nation. 

Thank you for the reassurances you are provided to your children during these troubling times.  

Dr. Steitz

The following is a statement from the Carlsbad Unified School District posted on the district website on Dec. 18:

On the morning of December 14, 2012, prior to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, Carlsbad High School (CHS) in the Carlsbad Unified School District (CUSD) received a report that a student had threatened to bring a weapon to school on December 21, 2012 and cause harm.

CHS administration, law enforcement and mental health professionals are working together to respond to the threat. There is no reason to believe the student has the means to act on this threat. However, as a precautionary measure, the Carlsbad Police Department has increased its presence on campus to help students, staff, and the community feel a greater sense of security. Carlsbad High School Principal Matt Steitz, Ed.D. has notified CHS families of the threat and assured them that keeping the campus safe and secure is the school’s number one priority.

Dr. Steitz explains, “We remain in close contact with this student’s family and with local authorities to determine the appropriate next steps while ensuring our campus continues to remain a safe environment for students. Because of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws, we are unable to disclose the identity of the student or release additional information about our investigation.

District Superintendent Suzette Lovely, Ed.D., states, “We appreciate the vigilance of our students and parents in reporting any suspicious statements or activities they may learn about. All threats or potential threats are taken seriously and investigated. The Sandy Hook incident has shaken communities across the nation. Thank you for the reassurances you are providing to your children during these troubling times.”

All CUSD schools will continue to remain open this week. For more information on Carlsbad Unified School District, visit carlsbadusd.k12.ca.us, friend CUSD at facebook.com/carlsbadunifiedschooldistrict or follow Superintendent Lovely at twitter.com/suptlovely.

Are you planning on keeping your child home from school on Friday? Tell us in comments.