Northwest High School will remain closed to students today after a lockdown incident prompted by reports of suspicious people near the campus. According to WCPO, a controlled student dismissal occurred following the lockdown, affecting adjacent Pleasant Run Elementary and Pleasant Run Middle School.
During the event, the Colerain Township Police found a weapon off-campus after two unidentified individuals confronted a student. While the specifics of the encounter remain vague, law enforcement believes this to be an isolated case. As reported in a letter sent by Northwest High School's administration and obtained by Local12, the school will use the closure time for reflection to support its students better and address any newly surfaced safety concerns.
Principal Alex Shrewsberry's statement indicated a need to prioritize student safety and contribute to a supportive learning environment upon their return. "The incident that occurred this afternoon has understandably caused great concern among our school community," Shrewsberry told FOX19, "and we want to take every measure possible to ensure that our students and staff feel safe and supported when they return to school."
Northwest High School's counseling office will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday to aid students and families during this turbulent period. "We want to thank the students who reported the information to the NWHS Administrative Team," a statement obtained by FOX19 read, emphasizing the importance of the 'See Something, Say Something' principle.
The school is expected to resume classes for students tomorrow, following the staff’s day of preparation and implementing any additional safety measures deemed necessary by the administration. The administration has also asked anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward. As echoed in communications shared by Local12, it has provided contact numbers to facilitate this process.
