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Hazel Park Superintendent Talks School Safety Following Threats that Closed Jr. High

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 10, 2023)

Hazel Park, Ferndale, MI – As of 6pm, Hazel Park Schools Superintendent Amy Kruppe was still not sure if students would be returning to Hazel Park Jr. High on Wednesday after a day with no classes on Tuesday, and a school-wide “hold” on Monday.

Dr. Kruppe held zoom meetings with concerned parents on Tuesday night to explain the situation and talk with parents about how they can help, and to address their needs in what is a frustrating situation for everyone involved.

She explained that safety precautions were put in place following phone calls made to school staff each morning.  On Monday the caller, who Kruppe said “sounded like a child,” made “inappropriate” remarks to receptionists over the phone.  Someone she thinks may be the same person then called back with a threat to the school.

A “hold” is when students and teachers remain in their classrooms until a sensitive situation is resolved.  This could be due to threats, but also other reasons such as a medical emergency, or a threat that is outside of the school.  The hold on Monday lasted two hours while police and school administrators worked to investigate whether the threat was credible or not.

Kruppe suspects that a student may be involved.  “As soon as we went off the hold, the calls started again,” she said.

On Tuesday morning, around 8 am, Kruppe said there was another call to the building with a threat.  This time she and police made the decision to cancel classes for the day. “These are not easy decisions,” she said. “This is important for the safety of our staff and our students as well.”

The timing of the calls was right when students were beginning to arrive.  Some students were allowed inside – with their backpacks checked – while waiting for rides home.  Others walked home or waited outside without realizing they could go in.  To parents concerned about the cold, Kruppe said “after every event we talk about what we can do better.”

Many teachers were not permitted in the building, and spent their day helping out at other schools.

Police have not yet identified the caller.  Though when they do, Dr. Kruppe said she will encourage the police to prosecute.

As incidents of threats terrorize students and staff members in schools across the country, law enforcement is taking them seriously. In November, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard made a video about the consequences of making threats.  Back in April of last year the search for a suspect led overseas where a teenager was arrested for threats towards multiple schools including Brandon, Cranbrook, Orion and Oxford Schools.  And of course the abundance of caution when threats come in stems from the increasing number of school shootings that do take place, including the Nov. 2021 shooting that claimed the lives of four Oxford students.

Dr. Kruppe said that she’d have an update call with police on Tuesday evening, and announce to parents around 9pm whether classes would be in session on Wednesday or not.

She also talked about the importance of parent and student involvement in creating a safe environment. This includes social and emotional learning in the classrooms, as well as an increase in social workers in the district.  A second school resource officer is expected to start soon – meaning there will be one SRO for the High School and one for the Jr High, with both making visits to the elementary schools as well.

“If your student is struggling, let us know…we’ll get the support they need,” said Principal John Barnett who joined the Superintendent on the Zoom call.

There is also a Parent Safety Committee forming, and discussions of a workshop for parents about school safety training.  Those interest in joining the Parent Safety Committee can reach out to the administration through the district’s website.

Principal Barnett also urged parents to be active in checking their kids’ social media, and asking them if they know anything about threats.

“The goal,” Barnett said, “is to be back in school, and back to education.”

UPDATE: Hazel Park Schools has announced that school will resume Wednesday.