Robert B. Pollock Elementary School in Northeast Philadelphia went into a secured lockdown Friday after school administrators received reports of alleged threats, according to the district. Staff quickly moved students into secured classrooms, coordinated with responding officers and then carried out a structured dismissal later in the day. School leaders stressed that all students and staff were safe and that no injuries were reported.
In a letter to families obtained by NBC10 Philadelphia, Principal Tracy Fargnoli said the School District and Philadelphia Police were immediately called to the school and helped oversee the dismissal process. The letter did not describe what kind of threats were allegedly made, and NBC10 reported that no arrests had been announced. School officials said families will receive additional information as it becomes available.
The school’s website lists its address as 2875 Welsh Road and names Tracy Fargnoli as principal. Guidance from the School District of Philadelphia’s Office of School Safety tells parents to call 9-1-1 for any imminent threats and to use Safe2SayPA or the district’s anonymous tip line for nonemergency concerns. The district site also outlines what it means when a building is placed on “hold,” “secure” or “lockdown,” and explains reunification procedures used during dismissals.
Regional Context: Swatting And Hoax Calls
Federal officials have warned that hoax “swatting” calls, in which someone makes a false report to trigger a heavy police response, have become more common and can lead schools to lock down even when there is no real threat. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced charges on April 30 tied to a series of swatting calls that targeted universities last August, underscoring why authorities handle school-related threats so seriously. Investigators say these hoaxes drain resources and create real risks for students, staff and first responders who treat every call as potentially life or death.
What Families Should Know
District officials ask families not to rush to a school building while an active response is underway and instead to wait for official directions on when and where to pick up students and how reunification will work. For nonemergency safety tips, the district points families to Safe2SayPA’s 24/7 hotline at 1-844-723-2729 and the anonymous district tip line at 215-400-SAFE. Parents may also email [email protected], according to the district. Pollock’s administration said it will reach out directly to families with any updates if circumstances change.
