June 2, 2022
Dear Azalea Middle School Families,
This morning, Brookings-Harbor School District became aware of two threatening phone messages referencing a bomb threat at Azalea Middle School. The school district reported the threat to local law enforcement, who arrived on-site immediately.
Police were able to track the message to an individual and confirm it was a hoax. The building was declared “all clear” by Brookings Police Department at 10:05 a.m.
While both the District and Brookings Police did not think the threat likely to be credible, sixth graders were delayed from departing to Outdoor School prior to the all-clear confirmation so backpacks could be left behind. Once the backpacks were left in classrooms, the sixth graders departed for outdoor school. As the school was preparing to conduct a fire drill for 7th and 8th graders to provide an opportunity for law enforcement and administration to check all backpacks, law enforcement was able to determine that the threat was a hoax.
These measures were taken out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students and staff.
We take all threats against our schools very seriously. Even if not credible, threats via social media, phone, or email can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their student’s activity and speak with them about appropriate behavior. If the source of a hoax is determined to be a student, they can face serious disciplinary consequences and potential criminal charges.
If you or your student become aware of any potential threat, please notify the police, a school administrator, or a trusted adult right away. We apologize for the interruption to learning today and any inconvenience to students and staff. As always, thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for our students.
We would like to personally thank the Brookings Police Department. Their super quick response and attention to the issue allowed for quick resolution and minimal disruption.
David Marshall, Superintendent
Vickie Nigh, Principal