Whole Lotta Lockdowns

It must be the lingering effects of the recent full moon. Here's a few notices sent by school officials to parents today:

From Oakland Mills High:

1:40 p.m. Today at approximately 8:25 Mr. Eastham was notified by the Howard County Police that they were arriving at the school to implement a drug scan on cars in the parking lot. This action was being taken as part of a partnership agreement between the Howard County Public School and the Police Department in an effort to maintain a drug-free school environment.

Mr. Eastham immediately took the emergency action of placing the school into Lock Down. This action was taken to ensure all students remained in their assigned classroom. Approximately 50 minutes later the police concluded their drug scan and students and staff were released from classrooms and resumed their regular schedule.

I am please to inform you that no students were found to be in violation of Howard Public School System Policy. I would like to remind parents that all belongings in a student’s car are considered to be in the possession of that student. Please make sure you inspect your child’s car regularly to ensure no items that would violate school policy are stored in the vehicle.

If you have any questions regarding this action, do not hesitate to call me.

Mr. Eastham

From Long Reach High:

2:35 p.m. There was a police matter in the area and we were instructed by the Police Department to get all of the students in the building and go on a lockdown. This happened at approximately 2:05 pm., and lasted 13 minutes. All suspects were apprehended

If you have any issues or concerns, please feel free to contact the school.

Mr. David Burton
Principal

From Jeffer's Hill:

2:14 p.m. Dear parents,
Currently JHES is on lock down per the direction of the Howard County Police Department. This is due to an outside circumstance. Please remember that students may not be picked up until we are given the notice that the lock down has been lifted. Please continue to monitor your email for updates.

2:20 p.m. Thankfully we were alerted that the lock down has been lifted. This was due to a home invasion in the area. We are back to normal activity.

From Oakland Mills High, again:

3:15 p.m. Parents,

This is to inform you that this afternoon we needed to implement the emergency procedure of Lock Down under the direction of the Howard County Police Department. This was the second Lock Down that we had today. Please see a previous email regarding the first Lock Down.

At approximately 2:00 pm we were directed by the Howard County Police Department to put the school in Lock Down. This action was taken to ensure the safety of our students and staff members. A situation was occurring in the neighborhood that may have put our students at risk if we had dismissed on time.

If you have any questions regarding this action, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Frank Eastham

And Oakland Mills Middle:

3:25pOMMS Families,

This is to inform you that this afternoon we needed to implement the emergency procedure of Lock Down under the direction of the Howard County Police Department.

At approximately 2:00 pm, the school implemented the Lock Down procedure. This action was taken to ensure the safety of our students and staff members. A situation was occurring in the neighborhood that may have put our students and staff at risk.

Our students and staff promptly responded to this situation. Student behavior during the Lock Down was commendable.

If you have any questions regarding this action, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Shiney Ann John
Principal