UPDATE: 11:40 A.M. The lockdown at Wheaton North High School has been lifted, and the Wheaton Police Department has determined that there is no threat at the school. Wheaton Police officers will remain in the area while they complete the investigation on the found lock box. Students have resumed their school day.
In District 200 and for the Wheaton Police Department, the safety and security of students, staff, and the entire school community is the top priority. The District takes a multi-faceted approach to school safety which includes but is not limited to supporting the social emotional and mental health of our students; secure school entrances; and maintaining strong, working relationships with first responders. The District and Wheaton Police encourage students and staff to always say something if they see something that doesn’t seem right or safe. In this situation, members of the school community modeled that behavior and properly executed safety drills as they have trained.
Thank you for your patience and understanding.
ORIGINAL INFORMATION:
Wheaton North High School is currently on lockdown as a precautionary measure while the Wheaton Police Department investigates a suspicious item located outside the school. The item appears to be a pried-open lockbox that could potentially be used as a gun safe. There is no current threat to students or staff, and this action is being taken out of an abundance of caution.
In addition, Hawthorne, Lowell, Sandburg, and Washington Elementary Schools were placed in a Secure & Teach out of an abundance of caution but that has since been lifted and students have resumed a typical school day.
Law enforcement is on the scene investigating this incident, and we will provide further updates. The Wheaton Police Department and District 200 are working closely together. There is no need for parents to respond to the school, and there is no threat to the school.
We will provide an update once the situation is resolved.