School official: Pelham schools evacuated over bomb threat; deemed not credible

The Westchester County Bomb Squad, with assistance from the K-9 unit, swept the campus and determined there were no explosives and it was not credible.

Jonathan Gordon

Nov 20, 2023, 9:03 PM

Updated 382 days ago

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Pelham middle and high school students were evacuated from school this afternoon after a teacher was emailed a bomb threat earlier in the afternoon, according to the district.
The Westchester County Bomb Squad, with assistance from the K-9 unit, swept the campus and determined there were no explosives and it was not credible.
"While the vast majority of these swatting threats are found to be non-credible, it is important that we take them seriously in an abundance of caution to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff," wrote Pelham Superintendent of Schools Dr. Cheryl Champ in a letter to the school community.
Westchester's Real Time Crime Center and the New York Division of Homeland Security continue to monitor these types of incidents, which have become increasingly common for schools both locally and across the country.
Sixth-grade students were dismissed from The Picture House on Wolfs Lane. Those in seventh through 12th grade were dismissed from the campus immediately.
All students were accounted for according to district officials.
"I want to thank our administrators, teachers, support staff, and school safety monitors for providing leadership and managing this situation with professionalism and compassion for our students," wrote Champ.
Students will be allowed to pick up any belongings until 6 p.m. by going to the front entrance of the middle or high school buildings.