Greenwood Elementary responds to report of bomb at school

Greenwood Elementary School was evacuated last Thursday, Feb. 13, after a student reported a potential bomb in another student’s backpack. The suspected bomb device was found to be a toy. The building was swept and cleared for re-entry on Friday.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. Thursday, a fifth-grade student reported to their fifth-grade teacher their concern of a possible bomb in a sixth-grade student’s backpack. Staff called 911 and evacuated the building. Since it was the end of the day, buses were arriving so students were directed to get on a bus to stay warm.

“A quick and robust response from local, county and neighboring police departments, fire departments, and EMS quickly followed, securing a perimeter. Their investigation started promptly and it was determined that staff and students would not be allowed back in the building until law enforcement was able to finalize their investigation and clear the building of any potential harm,” District Administrator Joe Green wrote in a letter to parents Friday.

“Students were reorganized on the appropriate buses, students were taken to parents waiting to pick them up, and other parents were called to come and pick them up. As quickly as possible, the buses were released to run the PM routes. All students were accounted for and safely made it home; however, they were not allowed back in the building to gather their belongings,” Green wrote.

Shortly after the evacuation, the district made a phone call to all parents. The district also made a post on Facebook at 3:21 p.m., stating there was an incident at the elementary school, all students and staff were safe, police were at the building, and dismissal would be delayed.

The Marathon County Bomb Squad assisted in the investigation. Their investigation found no immediate threat from the reported backpack. The suspected item was found to be a toy. The Wood County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit was also called. They were first available to assist on the morning of Feb. 14. After completion of their search, the elementary building was cleared for re-entry with no found threats to safety.

Students were already scheduled to have off from school Friday and Monday because of teacher in-service days. Parents were able to stop by Friday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. to pick up students’ belongings.

Green said that any disciplinary action was yet to be determined and would be based on the results of the investigation.

“The investigation has not yet been completed because students left on Thursday and haven’t been back in school until tomorrow (hopefully)!” he wrote in an email Tuesday.

“As far as a threat goes, I have no information yet that a threat was made. Right now, we only know that a potential bomb in a backpack was reported and found to be false. The ongoing investigation by the Greenwood Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Department will help determine if there was actually any threat made or not. I can tell you that any disciplinary actions would be

Please see Bomb report, page 6

Greenwood Elementary staff members escort students to their parents’ vehicles last Thursday after the building was cleared due to a report of a bomb in a backpack. Since the incident occurred near the end of the school day, buses were there already and the evacuated students sat on the buses to stay warm.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO

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based on the result of the investigation, not on the size of the response,” he added.

Agencies involved in the incident response included the Greenwood Police Department, Clark County Sheriff’s Office, Loyal Police Department, Neillsville Police Department, Owen-Withee Police Department, Greenwood Fire and Ambulance Service, Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, Wood County Sheriff’s Office, and the Greenwood Bus Service.

The Greenwood School District hosted a critical incident stress management briefing on Monday night, in which the school district, Greenwood Police Department, and Clark County Community Services partnered to share a briefing of the incident and resources moving forward.The public was invited to attend.

Green praised the response of the staff, law enforcement, and community in addressing the potential threat.

“The School District of Greenwood takes all potential threats to the safety of our students and staff seriously. There is nothing more important than the kids and adults that fill our buildings each day! I am so proud of the work of our kids, staff, parents, and community, in remaining calm and working together to ensure this level of safety. I am so thankful for the teamwork displayed and selfless acts displayed by the many resources that responded, and responded quickly!” he wrote in the parent letter.

“In events like this, there is always opportunity to learn and grow so we are better if there is ever a next time. Please take time to talk with your kids about this incident and the importance of reporting things that could potentially cause harm to others immediately to an adult.

“Finally, when you get the opportunity, please thank an elementary staff member for their extreme care and effort to keep our students safe and calm. They did an amazing job! We will continue to offer support for our staff and students. If your child is struggling with any part of this event, please contact the school office so we can offer assistance.”

Editor Valorie Brecht contributed to this report.

A Greenwood ambulance blocks off a side street by the elementary school last Thursday afternoon.

VALORIE BRECHT/STAFF PHOTO