This morning at approximately 9:35, 1700 Quakertown Community High School students were evacuated from the Senior High School and Freshman Center buildings after a bomb threat was received in the office. Quakertown Borough Police responded immediately and called in bomb squad units from surrounding departments.

            Levy buses rolled in to take students home from their evacuation site at 11 a.m. Students with car keys in hand were able to drive home. Emergency response units remained on site until 2:15 p.m. Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree confirmed that six police dogs detected five potentially dangerous devices but all were cleared. Late in the day students were allowed to return to the building to secure car keys and phones. Principal David Finnerty cancelled overnight homework and Friday tests to encourage students not to return to the building. School will be open Friday.

            The girls' soccer team will host Upper Dublin at 7 p.m. tonight at Alumni Stadium. Other practices were held at coaches' discretion.

            Dr. Bill Harner, Superintendent, as well as McElree and Finnerty all said they were pleased with the quick evacuation of the buildings and that all students and staff were safe. Assistant Superintendent Nancianne Edwards sent out a series of Connect-Ed calls to parents to let them know of the situation and that students would be dismissed early.

            The police investigation will continue to determine the perpetrator.

            The event disrupted lunches, which were almost ready. Chartwell's Food Services Director Pete Kelley estimated that $4,000 worth of food would need to be discarded. The event also disrupted construction that is part of the four-year high school renovation. Mid-day kindergarten pickup was re-routed so that parents could pick-up and drop-off students at Quakertown Elementary School.

            QCSD maintenance personnel gathered water jugs and supplies and St. Luke's paramedics brought in bottled water to help keep students and staff hydrated on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

            PA State Police landed a helicopter on a playground at Quakertown Elementary, delivering a trooper and dog to help search the building.

            Fire department and fire police units responded from Quakertown, Milford, Richland, Richlandtown and Perkasie. Police responded from Bucks and Montgomery counties, including Lower Makefield, Falls Township and Warminster Township. North Penn Goodwill Services of Souderton responded to provide food and cold beverages for emergency personnel.

            "I'd just really like to thank everyone who came to help," said Principal Finnerty. "Our staff and students were great, too. The cooperation paid off."

Released by Rick Stein Quakertown Community School District