10-22-2009, 04:21 PM
This is posted on the district website
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wps60.org/newsbeat60/article.php?id=212">http://www.wps60.org/newsbeat60/article.php?id=212</a><!-- m -->
Waukegan Public Schools wish to inform parents and community members about an incident that occurred today, Wednesday, October 21, at the high schoolâs Washington Campus. This incident resulted in a late dismissal of students.
At around 2 p.m., a physical education teacher at the high school was informed that a student in the locker room had a handgun on campus. The teacher informed the schoolâs School Resource Officer, who identified the subject and chased him outside of the building, where he was apprehended and the gun was recovered without incident, said William Newby, Director of Campus Relations, Operations, Staff and Student Safety for District 60.
During the course of an investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, it was learned that a second student at the school may also have a gun on his person. Due to the circumstances, school officials were forced to âlock downâ the Washington Campus, while they searched the school for the student and the reported gun. Because of the lock down, students were forced to remain inside their respective classrooms at all times.
After searching the campus for several hours, no gun was recovered, and administrators released the schoolâs 1,500 students classroom-by-classroom through metal detectors. By 5 p.m. the campus was clear of students, and officials began searching all lockers.
âWe can reasonably guarantee that every crevice of the school has been checked,â Newby said of the search effort.
Since students were not allowed to return to their lockers following the lock down, PACE bus services will allow students to ride to school Thursday morning without a bus pass.
Because of the nature of this incident, District 60 has canceled all events scheduled at the Washington Campus for this evening. Classes will resume Thursday morning, and parents are assured that their children's safety will continue to be a top priority.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.wps60.org/newsbeat60/article.php?id=212">http://www.wps60.org/newsbeat60/article.php?id=212</a><!-- m -->
Waukegan Public Schools wish to inform parents and community members about an incident that occurred today, Wednesday, October 21, at the high schoolâs Washington Campus. This incident resulted in a late dismissal of students.
At around 2 p.m., a physical education teacher at the high school was informed that a student in the locker room had a handgun on campus. The teacher informed the schoolâs School Resource Officer, who identified the subject and chased him outside of the building, where he was apprehended and the gun was recovered without incident, said William Newby, Director of Campus Relations, Operations, Staff and Student Safety for District 60.
During the course of an investigation by the Waukegan Police Department, it was learned that a second student at the school may also have a gun on his person. Due to the circumstances, school officials were forced to âlock downâ the Washington Campus, while they searched the school for the student and the reported gun. Because of the lock down, students were forced to remain inside their respective classrooms at all times.
After searching the campus for several hours, no gun was recovered, and administrators released the schoolâs 1,500 students classroom-by-classroom through metal detectors. By 5 p.m. the campus was clear of students, and officials began searching all lockers.
âWe can reasonably guarantee that every crevice of the school has been checked,â Newby said of the search effort.
Since students were not allowed to return to their lockers following the lock down, PACE bus services will allow students to ride to school Thursday morning without a bus pass.
Because of the nature of this incident, District 60 has canceled all events scheduled at the Washington Campus for this evening. Classes will resume Thursday morning, and parents are assured that their children's safety will continue to be a top priority.