Schools

New 'Gun' Note Found in Middle School Bathroom

Superintendent Sandra Fellin says local authorities have been informed and the threat is not believed to be 'credible.'

In an all-call voice message to parents of Saucon Valley Middle School students this afternoon, School District Superintendent Sandra Fellin said she was "disheartened" to have to inform them that "another note has been found in the middle school fifth grade girls bathroom."

"The note had the word 'gun,' the date of 3-17 and the timeframe of 7am to 3pm," Fellin said.

"We are investigating and we have informed the local law authorities," Fellin continued. "We will take all precautionary measures prior to opening in the morning."

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

She added that "we do not feel that this note is credible."

In addition to the message from Fellin, parents of middle school students received a letter from Middle School Assistant Principal Thomas Halcisak following the discovery of the note.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In the letter, dated March 16, Halcisak asked parents to speak to their children about the seriousness of writing "inappropriate" messages inside the school.

Halcisak also spelled out the consequences which could befall a student caught writing such a message.

"Once the person is caught, and they will be caught, their name gets forwarded to Lower Saucon Police," he said in the letter. "The District Attorney of Northampton County is notified and advises the police on what charges to bring against the student. In addition, the student receives a consequence from the school. It is always some type of suspension."

Halcisak encouraged parents to "convey the seriousness of what some students might believe is harmless fun or a prank" to their children.

Saucon Valley Middle School students are currently in the midst of PSSA exams, and Fellin said both school and their exams will be held as scheduled Thursday.

The discovery of the threatening message today comes closely on the heels of .

The March 9 incident, which school officials said involved the word "gun" and "Thursday" being written on a school bathroom mirror, resulted in the suspension and citation for criminal mischief and disorderly conduct of a middle school student, .

, school officials and authorities have said.

In his letter to parents, Halcisak said that in the middle school "there is a security camera on every lavatory entrance so we know exactly who goes in and out and what time of day this takes place."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here