A written bomb threat was discovered in a boys’ bathroom at Oak Park and River Forest High School Wednesday afternoon. The threat referenced a disruption that would take place on Thursday afternoon, according to an e-mail message sent to parents just after 5 p.m. Wednesday.
In the notification, Nathaniel Rouse, the OPRF principal, said Oak Park police were immediately called and that there would be a heavier than usual police presence at the school Thursday. Rouse also said that the school’s building and grounds and security staff have already checked the building and would continue to monitor the building more closely than usual through the evening and overnight.
“We are taking this seriously and are putting into place the necessary precautions,” Rouse said in the e-mail. OPRF will open as normal on Thursday. “At this time we do not believe that staff or students are in any imminent danger.”
Rouse said that parents could certainly decide not to send their children to school Thursday and he also urged students who hear or see anything suspicious to report it to an adult.
A similar threat occured in November 2010, when OPRF janitors found a bomb threat written in a boys’ bathroom.
E-mail from OPRF
Dear Parents/Guardians:
On Wednesday afternoon our Safety & Support monitors were alerted to a bomb threat written in a boys’ bathroom at the high school. The written message referenced a disruption that would take place at the school on Thursday afternoon. Oak Park Police were immediately called. We are taking this seriously and are putting into place the necessary precautions. Buildings and Grounds and Safety and Support Team staff members have checked – and will continue to check – our building and facilities throughout daily and evening rounds. Also as a precaution, there will be an extra police presence Thursday at the high school.
The school day will proceed as normal tomorrow. At this time we do not believe that staff or students are in any imminent danger. However, parents may make the decision to keep students home by contacting the attendance office.
As always, we ask that if you or your students hear or see anything of concern, you immediately share it with the school – an administrator, dean, counselor, teacher or staff member — so we can investigate.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Nathaniel Rouse
Principal
