Dennis Twp. School District reveals more details on safety threat that canceled classes

DENNIS TOWNSHIP, New Jersey (WPVI) -- A report of armed individuals in Dennis Township, New Jersey, forced a brief shelter-in-place order Tuesday morning along with the cancellation of classes, according to officials.

In a letter to the Dennis Township School District community, Superintendent Susan S. Speirs revealed more details on the early morning security incident.

The first message went out around 7:37 a.m. to notify the community of "danger in the area" and to keep children inside.

Speirs said word of the possible armed individuals came as high school buses were dropping off students at school. Since P-8 grade buses had not left the yard, Speirs says the decision was made to keep those students at home.

Some students who arrived at school amid the possible danger were sent home.

"Some Hawk's Nest students had already been dropped off when we received word of the possible danger. We stopped accepting more students and asked arriving Hawk's Nest parents to take their children back home with them," added Speirs.

Other students who were already inside were given the option to shelter in place after parents were notified.

The decision to cancel classes came around 9:19 a.m.

New Jersey State Police said there was no active threat but did not provide further details on the incident.

Anyone with questions is urged to contact Speirs at 609-861-2821 ext. 116.

Click here to read the full letter.