Hillsborough High School was locked down briefly Thursday morning after a staff member overheard students talking about a gun.
No weapon was seen and later it was determined students were talking about a video game, according to Hillsborough Township police.
Administrators closed the school at about 8 a.m. and police were called. The police’s school resource officer was at the school, and other officers responded to investigate and assist in the lockdown. No weapons were found.
The school was taken off lockdown when the thought of any threat was dismissed.
According to state statute, occupants of the building are directed to remain confined to a room or area with specific procedures to follow, such as locking doors, closing or opening windows and shades, and seeking cover.
No teaching or business is to be conducted.
In an electronic letter to parents, Principal Karen Bingert wrote, “I fully understand how upsetting it can be, especially as you are dealing with the unknown, but I am grateful for your trust in the administrators and police as we worked very quickly to ensure that everyone was safe. I conveyed the same message of appreciation to your children and their teachers, who behaved cooperatively and admirably throughout the lock down within the uncomfortable confines of their classrooms with no more information than you had.”
She said the school would provide counseling support throughout the rest of the day to help students deal with emotions about the lock down, if needed.
Students remained in Period 1 rooms for about 15 minutes “to allow everyone time together to debrief and relax about this upsetting situation,” she wrote.
Period 2 was dropped and students went to Period 3 at the sound of the next bell, at which point the normal schedule was to resume.
“I cannot thank you enough for your cooperation as parents, for how well-behaved the students were, and for the leadership of their teachers,” wrote Ms. Bingert. “I must also thank the Hillsborough Township Police Department for their quick response and thorough investigation of this matter. I am always proud to be the principal of Hillsborough High School but never more so than when we all pull together in an emergency and take such good care of each other and the wonderful students entrusted to us each day.”
