ELIZABETHTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

ELIZABETHTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

May 11, 2017

Dear Parents and Guardians:

To help discourage rumors, the Elizabethtown Area School District wants to provide parents and
guardians of middle and high school students with accurate information about an incident that occurred at
the secondary complex this afternoon. Around 1:15 p.m., the Districts school resource officer (SRO)
received an anonymous Text-A-Tip that a student had a gun in his possession on school property. This
disclosure caused the District to immediately initiate its Safe Schools Response Plan, which included
notifying the Elizabethtown Borough Police Department.

To ensure student, faculty, and staff safety, the school went into a shelter-in-place and an investigation
was immediately launched by the school administration and SRO. Out of an abundance of caution,
additional police officers came to the school to assist the SRO with securing the school and investigating
the threat. After a careful and thorough initial investigation, which included student and staff interviews
and various searches, it was determined that NO gun existed and the shelter-in-place was lifted. The
shelter-in-place lasted about fifteen minutes. At that time school resumed normal operations. This is an
ongoing matter with the school administration and Elizabethtown Borough Police Department.

The District always takes any type of threat seriously and has the full cooperation of the police
department. Recent events at schools around the country have heightened everyones concern for the
safety of students. District administration encourages parents to talk with their children about the
seriousness of threats and the importance of reporting suspicious activities, threats, or disturbing
information to a trusted adult. We extended our appreciation to the Elizabethtown Borough Police
Department for their quick response and professional manner in which they conducted themselves during
this situation.

The safety of students and staff is the Districts number one priority, and it will continue to be vigilant.
The District appreciates your continued support of a safe learning environment for its students. Please feel
free to contact Troy Portser, director of school and community information, by phone at (717) 367-1521,
ext. 1024 or by email at troy_portser@etownschools.org should you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Michele M. Balliet, Ed.D.

Superintendent

Every Student Graduates Ready to Live, Learn, and Thrive in a Global Community

600 EAST HIGH STREET | ELIZABETHTOWN, PA 17022

PHONE: (717) 367-1521 | FAX: (717) 367-1920 | WEBSITE: WWW.ETOWNSCHOOLS.ORG