Online threat leads to canceled homecoming events at Valley Stream Central High, district says
Valley Stream Central High School's homecoming events were canceled because of an anonymous threat posted on social media, the district's acting superintendent said. Credit: Newsday / Nicole Bartoline
Nassau police and school officials searched North High and Memorial Junior High in Valley Stream Sunday after officials learned of threats posted on social media, Valley Stream Central High School District officials said.
The searches, which turned up no threats, came a day after Central High's homecoming events were canceled because of another threat.
After consulting with police, the district said, it will keep North High and Memorial Junior High open Monday. But the district will operate all of its schools under Lock-Out protocols, which include increased security measures. Additional Nassau police officers will be deployed at the schools, and only students and district personnel will be permitted to enter buildings.
"We know this development, just as yesterday’s need to cancel Central High School’s Homecoming festivities, is of great concern to parents and students in our district," Valley Stream Central High School District acting Superintendent Wayne R. Loper said in an email sent to parents and posted on Facebook Sunday evening. "They are extremely troubling to us, and we take any threat, of any kind, very seriously.
"We are working closely with law enforcement to determine who is responsible for these threats, and to determine what, if any, additional security measures the district might take," Loper said. "The safety and security of our students, staff and all who visit our schools is our first priority and we will take whatever measures are necessary to ensure all in our community feel safe in our schools."
Nassau police said they are investigating the threats but declined to comment further.
The decision to cancel homecoming events came after the discovery of a "disturbing, anonymous social media post" that made a threat to the high school, Loper said.
"Law enforcement was immediately notified and an investigation commenced," Loper said. "Any threat made to our district is taken seriously and is handled with the utmost urgency."
Loper did not reveal the specifics of the threat.
The varsity football team was set to face off against Long Beach on Saturday. A homecoming game and parade were scheduled, according to the district calendar.
Vera Chinese covers Suffolk County government and politics. She joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.
