1:25 p.m. INITIAL MESSAGE
This is an important message from Brookings-Harbor School District. Our schools will be dismissing early today – effective immediately. Please come to the school as soon as possible to pick up your child at their usual pick-up location. Our buses will be running routes about 1.5 hours earlier than usual.
Our district received a threatening message and has made the decision to move students and staff away from the buildings earlier than usual today out of an abundance of caution, and also so law enforcement can thoroughly search the premises. There are reports that many other districts across the state today have received a similar message, and some other schools and districts have also made the decision to end the school day earlier than usual.
Safety is our highest priority, and we are working to verify the authenticity of this potential threat. There is no indication of an immediate concern for student safety at this time.
2:05 PM UPDATE
Buses are rolling with K-12 bus riders to afternoon stops. Any young students who do not have a guardian available to pick up at their home stop yet will be brought back to a reunification site near the school (BHHS Stadium Parking Area on Fern Avenue) to be checked off the bus by a parent/guardian as soon as they are able to report to school site.
3 PM UPDATE
Thank you to parents, staff, and community, for a very orderly emergency dismissal of our schools this afternoon. @Brookings Police Department is on the scene, searching and clearing all our buildings now. We will post an update this evening on plans for tomorrow.
5:30 PM UPDATE
Dear BHSD Families,
Schools will resume normal operations tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 12, with classes at Kalmiopsis Elementary, Azalea Middle School, and Brookings-Harbor High School.
Brookings-Harbor School District leadership made the decision to dismiss early this afternoon (12/11) due to a threatening message received by one of our staff members.
Following our emergency dismissal process, the Brookings Police Department searched all campus buildings and did not find anything suspicious.
Many other school districts across Oregon received a similar communication to the one we received, and it is reported that the FBI is investigating numerous threats that are believed to be connected.
It was determined there is no credible threat at this time, and we will resume regular classes and activities tomorrow. Teachers and counselors will be ready to support students who are struggling to feel safe tomorrow.
If you or your student become aware of any potential threat received in person, electronically, posted to social media, or anywhere else, please notify a school administrator or trusted adult right away.
As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students. Today’s dismissal was very orderly, thanks to all involved. We will be undertaking an after-action review to improve processes for future emergencies. Please email me if you have suggestions for improvement.
Helena Chirinian
Superintendent