UPDATE: Monday, Jan. 30, 6:15 p.m.–“We are very much on top of the situation. We do have a safety plan in place right now with the student involved. We’ve been really proactively working this throughout the day to insure that the students can come back and focus. I’m very confident that students can come back Tuesday to finish up their last two exams without worrying,” says WHS principal Dr. Robert O’Donnell.
First and foremost, O’Donnell is eager to reassure both parents and students that they should not be concerned about coming back to school.
He spoke to GOOD Morning Wilton mid-afternoon and says he spent part of Monday responding to concerned parents after notifying them by email earlier in the day about a “potential threat to the school by a current student.”
“Our priority has been on midterms today, it’s a big day for our students, and make sure they can focus and finish up the semester,”
The letter O’Donnell emailed to parents about the threat reportedly made by a student was also emailed to students. They received it at the same time Monday morning, a little after 9:30 a.m., as their parents did.
“I sent it to kids and to parents so everyone was getting the same message at the same time,” O’Donnell says.
He was motivated to reach out because there were a few rumors spreading in “limited circles” this morning. “I know how information travels and I wanted to send something reassuring and concise to say that we were on top of the situation and we do not believe there is a threat.”
O’Donnell made a concerted effort to be visible around the school during the day, something he says he does anytime there’s a situation like today happening in the school. “I did not hear much concern or question from the kids. I was in a classroom where a student asked me about it, he obviously had seen the letter, and I said, ‘No, we’re in a good place right now.’
Parents are encouraged to call the school should they have any remaining concerns, O’Donnell says. Of the parents he spoke to Monday, he says, “I think they’re in a reassured place, and that’s where we want all members of the school community to be.”
ORIGINAL STORY: Monday, Jan. 30, 2 p.m.–Monday morning, Jan. 30, parents of Wilton High School students received a concerning email in their inboxes from the school’s principal, Dr. Robert O’Donnell. It detailed a situation about a “potential threat to the school by a current student.”
Dear Wilton High School Families,
There is some information circulating about a potential threat to the school by a current student.
I am directly overseeing this situation and am collaborating with the Wilton Police Department and our Safe School Climate Coordinator to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Our assessment of the matter is that the student does not pose a direct threat to the school community. We are handling the matter in accordance with Wilton Public Schools policy and the student has not been in school since the middle of last week.
Please rest assured that we are closely monitoring this matter and are proactively ensuring the safety of our school community.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions.
Dr. O’Donnell
Lt. Robert Cipolla, the public information officer for the Wilton Police, confirmed that the department is working with the school. The investigation is being led by school resource officer Richard Ross, in conjunction with school officials.
However, beyond what the letter says, there was little additional information he could provide, because the case is still considered an open investigation. Cipolla said police can’t comment on specifics until the investigation is concluded but he could reassure parents somewhat.
“It’s not a perceived active threat at this moment. There is one student being investigated and the school resource officer is working on it in conjunction with the school. The school did their internal assessment of the individual. But I can reiterate, at this time we don’t see an active threat,” he said.
Cipolla declined to say how and when the threat was made or how school officials learned of it. He also declined to answer questions about what the nature of the threat was, or to say when the case will be resolved.
“It’s nothing we’re going to rush. As a police dept we’re looking into criminal charges that will or will not be applicable, but I anticipate with the information we have it’s a possibility. But we also have to work with the prosecutor’s office, determine probable cause, and if there has to be a warrant application that does take some time,” he said.
Cipolla said that additional officers were assigned to patrol the area of the high school, more so than they do on a typical day.
“In light of the current investigation we are doing so even more so today.”
Monday marked Day 3 of a 4-day midterm schedule for the students, with two exam periods scheduled in the mornings, and school dismissal at 11:55 a.m.. GOOD Morning Wilton emailed school officials for further comment beyond what they communicated to parents, asking about the atmosphere at the school and student reaction, and whether they communicated anything directly to students about the situation. The story will be updated as further information is available.
Several parents took to social media after receiving the letter, asking other Facebook users what more they knew. Some suggested that the email was likely sent in response to concerns administrators were hearing about the rumors from some students and parents. Other commenters reported that they hadn’t heard about the rumors until getting the letter, leaving some reassured at how officials were handling it, while others were worried by the news.