February 21, 2012-- Ridge Middle School students were evacuated and bused to neighboring Brentmoor Elementary School Thursday morning at approximately 11:30 a.m., after a bomb threat was found by a student on a note in the bathroom and reported to administrators. Parents and guardians of Ridge students were notified of the evacuation via the Alert Now phone notification system at that time.
The Mentor Police Department brought in a bomb-sniffing dog to assist officers and Mentor Schools administrators in sweeping the building. The building was cleared at approximately 1:30 p.m. and determined safe for students to return to classes. However, all after school activities were cancelled for the evening prior to that determination.
Staff members from Ridge and Brentmoor did an excellent job leading students from one building to the other, and students acted quietly and cooperatively during the evacuation process as they have practiced during drills. The transportation and nutrition services departments also acted quickly to move students out of the cold and ensure they had lunch while at Brentmoor.
The bomb threat made today caused a serious disruption to the learning process and is something that will not be tolerated by Mentor Schools. We urge to you encourage your child(ren) to come forward to Ridge’s staff or the police department if they know anything that could help in the investigation.
Additionally, tomorrow, announcements will be made at Ridge along with Shore, Memorial and Mentor High to remind our students of the seriousness of this type of behavior. Students who are caught making threats will not only face the most serious consequences possible by the school district including expulsion, but will likely face criminal charges as well. A charge of inducing panic, for example, is a second degree felony.
Thank you for your cooperation. Please feel free to contact any of our offices if you have any questions.
