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HAMMONTON—The frequent national media reports of school shootings and violence have created an atmosphere of high alert in parents and school administrations across the country when it comes to schools. Hammonton is no different. Recently a perceived but unvetted rumor of trouble at the middle school turned into social media postings and communications leading some parents to take precautionary actions.
On September 12 at 2:05 p.m., the Hammonton School District posted the following on Facebook: “As you are aware, there are a number of rumors, not based in fact, about threats of violence at Hammonton Middle School. This is not factual and is unfortunately being spread via social media. The administration and Hammonton Police have thoroughly investigated these rumors and are working hard to support students and staff while we follow our established procedures. A number of parents have already signed students out early in response to these unfounded rumors. As an extra measure you will see an additional police presence at the end of the day to provide a level of assurance to our students. If you have questions, please reach out to an administrator via email or phone. Thank you.”
The Hammonton Board of Education addressed these rumored threats of violence at the Hammonton Middle School during the September 12 board of education meeting. During committee reports, Board of Education President John Lyons addressed the situation.
“We had an unfounded rumor that was investigated by the administration and the Hammonton Police Department today that affected the Hammonton Middle School specifically. At no time were any students in danger; I want to be very clear about that. The process by which we investigate rumors and information that comes in happens very quickly and very thoroughly. We receive information like this almost on a daily basis across the district, and there’s a robust process that happens between the administration and the Hammonton Police Department to ensure that students are safe and well cared for while they’re here with us,” Lyons said.
Lyons encouraged parents who have questions to reach out to the building principal, administration or staff where they can receive the latest information. He also said if parents feel the need to remove their child before the school day is finished, parents are free to do so.
“We do a really good job here of keeping kids safe and educating them in a great environment, and the response I’ve given to parents over the course of today and a little bit this evening is if you need to know something, we will let you know. If there’s something that’s affecting the safety, health and wellbeing of your child, we will absolutely reach out to you through a number of different ways to make sure you have the latest information and specific information so you can make the choices you need to make as a parent,” Lyons said.
Some parents questioned why the school system did not use the robo-call system in place to notify parents. While the tool is an effective form of mass communication, overuse of it could diminish its effectiveness. Therefore, officials necessitate its usage based on actual verified threats of safety or emergencies.
“As a matter of course, the school district responds to rumors and information that we receive and in certain limited circumstances, verified threats. All of those things are investigated by the administration and the Hammonton Police in real time,” Lyons said. “In respect to the incident this past Thursday, it was determined early on that the incident was unfounded and purely based on rumor and did not rise to a level of a threat. Specifically, at no time were any of our students or staff in danger, which is why we did not use additional communication tools like text messaging or phone calls.”
Lyons went on to explain that the implementation of the various tools and techniques available to staff and officials are subject to the level of threat being encountered.
“In the event that we identify an issue that requires immediate notification for parents and staff, we put those tools in place immediately. The decision to use those different methods of communication sits with the administration. There is not a hard yes or no, it is more case by case. And in these different cases, we look at a variety of factors. Again, following up on this past Thursday, the circumstances did not warrant a broad communication to parents, which is why they didn’t received one,” Lyons said.
“There’s a definite time and place for a robocall and also a danger in overusing it,” said Superintendent of Schools Thomas Ramsay. “At any time if there is a situation that places your children in danger you will be notified.”
The Hammonton School District employs several safety measures and procedures throughout the schools in town to ensure students have a level of protection. For that exact
reason the District works to keep many of those practices confidential.
“While we don’t publicize in many ways some of the security measures that we have both active and passive across the District, rest assured that we are constantly looking at those plans, partnering with the Hammonton Police as well as other stakeholders to make sure that we are providing the training and the technology and the resources to keep your kids safe in school,” Lyons said.
Lyons added that social media is not a reliable source of truth when it comes to students unless it’s the school website or the school’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
“If you want to know what’s going on in your kid’s school, you can reach out to us and someone will absolutely communicate with you and tell you and I’ll say as a board member if you’re not getting answers or not getting a return call, let us know and we’ll see to resolving that but I would find it highly irregular if every parent does not get a return call because parents call in for a number of different things and staff is very good about responding and sharing information,” Lyons said.
Board member Kelly Donio said a parent asked her what parents should tell their children if they see something or hear something?
“I know you guys do such a great job and the teachers and staff, but is there a way maybe through parent newsletters coming up or back to school nights just to remind parents [what to do in that situation]?” Donio said.
According to Ramsay, the state requires every school in the District to conduct four specific security drills that need to be done twice a year. One of the security drills must be completed within the first 15 days of the school year. That drill is the lockdown drill which would train students and staff procedures that address emergency issues such as the recent concern. The lockdown drill was conducted earlier in the week.
Lyons also said, during the announcement at the Hammonton Middle School, students were encouraged to say something if they see something and to go to a trusted adult to make them aware.
During an announcement addressing the student body, Middle School Principal Dr. Kimberly Rudnesky said, “If you [students] were feeling anxious and were concerned, visit with guidance and talk to a counselor and seek those resources.” She added, “When you have firsthand information of anyone who made an inappropriate comment or threat please contact a trusted adult at school.”
During public comment, Caitlyn Collins, who is a parent to a son at the Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School and a daughter who will be attending the school next year expressed her safety concerns.
“I know a lot of parents right now [who are concerned about] the safety of our schools because it’s no surprise that you’re watching the news and you’re watching everything going on. It’s not here and we all hope and pray that it’s never going to be here, but the fact of the matter is that it’s not a guarantee,” Collins said.
According to Collins, some parents want metal detectors after seeing active shooter situations at other schools
“That’s every parents’ go-to, ‘We need metal detectors.’ It is hard for me to understand why we don’t have them other than the cost. I don’t know the first thing about metal detectors, but I’m wondering if there are precautionary measures that we can take,” Collins said. “I know that it may sound ridiculous [having a clear bookbag rule] and I know there are so many students that would look at me and be like, ‘Is she out of her mind?’ but I can’t walk into a Phillies game with a hoodie for my 3 year old daughter without them digging through and inspecting it, so I have more safety measures in some certain ways taken to go to a baseball game than these teenagers have in their bookbags,” Collins said.
Collins is concerned that if there was an active shooter situation, will the security measures save everyone?
“I just feel like a lot of the things that we do have in place and might have in place unfortunately take place after the [incident] and that’s what scares me the most. What can we do as a community, as educators, as principals to have a little more [protection before a threat] can get through the door in the first place?” Collins said.
After Collins gave her public comment, Lyons said there is no plan to implement metal detectors at any of the schools. However, Lyons did say that during the executive session prior to the meeting, the board discussed looking at additional measures to help maintain and enhance safety.
Several additional matters concerning the school board were addressed during the meeting. Those items will be included in next week’s edition of The Hammonton Gazette.
The next board of education meeting will be on September 12 at 7 p.m. at the Samuel A. Donio Memorial Library.
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