The acting superintendent for Saucon Valley School District, Dr. Susan Mowrer-Benda, announced in an email to parents Tuesday that there will be a heightened police presence when school opens Monday because of a threatening email that was sent to hundreds of eighth and ninth graders last week.
The main entrance to Saucon Valley High School, which will welcome students back to class on Monday, Aug. 28.
“The Lower Saucon Police Department continues to work in concert with the school district regarding the recent threat incident,” she said. “The investigation is ongoing and the police will be providing an additional presence on our campus in the days to come.”
Although police have identified the IP address from which the email was sent, Lower Saucon Police Chief Guy Lesser said Wednesday he had no further updates to share.
In spite of the addition of officers, some parents have said on social media they are anxious about sending their children to school because of the unsolved email case, in which someone threatened a shooting.
“More precautions should be taken to ensure the safety of our kids,” said Tina Thomas. “If the district doesn’t want to have bag checks or metal detectors, then how about not allowing the students to bring in any type of book bag to school?”
“It’s an active therrostic threat towards the school and our children,” she added. “Granted this (person) could just be blowing off steam…but who’s to say?”
“I honestly do not feel safe sending my kids. At all,” commented MaryAnn Wisser. “They should have officers in every school until the sender is caught.”
Not all parents agreed, however.
“If you don’t feel safe sending your children to school, home school,” said Maryann Crystal. “I’m confident as every other year LSPD and district staff will do their utmost best to keep our children safe on campus and in the community.”
Adding to the anxiety level for some parents is the fact that a production crew from a national media outlet is at Saucon Valley to film a documentary about racial tensions in the district and plans to capture footage of the first day of school.
“No wonder my kid has anxiety for the first day of high school,” said Jennifer Carroll. “These people will be there and then the email.”
The crew from Lincoln Square Productions–the documentary division of ABC–met with some parents at a meeting at the high school Wednesday evening, and an additional Q&A session is planned for Thursday night in the auditorium at 6 p.m.
“The team has pledged to minimize disruption to the school environment and will respect the confidentiality and comfort level of our students and staff through voluntary participation only,” Mowrer-Benda said. Further questions and answers may be posed directly to the documentary team at (the) informational sessions.”
Saucon Source reached out to Mowrer-Benda to ask about who gave Lincoln Square Productions permission to film in the schools and when that decision was made, as well as whether the filming was ever formally approved by the school board.
“I…understand your questions regarding permission for ABC to be present in our district were answered at last evening’s informational meeting,” she said. “I am sure the information will be repeated at this evening’s meeting as well.”
Are you or your children feeling more anxiety about the first day of school because of the unsolved email case and/or the fact that a documentary film crew will be there? Tell us by posting a comment.
Granted, I do no not have children in SVSD. I am a grandmother, whose child is too young to attend school. However I feel, once again, there seems to be much ado about nothing. It LST has the IP address, why do they not have the sender in hand? Unless this email was sent from a public place, such as a library, the IP address should clearly identify the computer from which it came. As in the case of public libraries, I believe that anyone using a computer must register with the library. It should not be too difficult to identify this person.
As far as the parents being concerned, if you feel that strongly then keep you child home. The school district would be better served by sending out emails covering all the information, class work, first day of school papers and a list of what they will need for the school year. They have had plenty of time, to collate this information and get it to the parents, instead of sending emails that are causing fear and anxiousness to both parents and students. I also feel that a page could be taken from the parents who raised my generation. Stay where you are, don’t run, don’t panic, hit the deck and stay there till the all clear is sounded.
There should be zero reason for anyone wielding a weapon to enter the school on the first day or any other day. The school district needs to dip into their coffers and spend the money for metal detectors. Contraband of any kind should not be tolerated. If it is sports equipment, let that department take charge of the equipment, if it equipment for a “club” or band or any other organization, let the leaders of such organization take over. Formulate a plan, and keep the stuff in the school where it belongs. It really is not that hard. The School district is a business with various departments, start acting like it is and control it from within. That way your kids can go to school without worry. Except of course, from the redneck, white supremicists and skin head Nazis.