Penns Valley School Deemed Safe After Threat Written on Wall Caused Evacuation

Penns Valley Elementary and Intermediate School students and staff were briefly evacuated on Tuesday after a “non-specific threat” was found written on a wall in the school, according to a message to families from Superintendent Brian Griffith.

State police, with a K-9 unit, cleared the school and “confirmed that it is safe for all students and staff to return,” by late Tuesday morning, Griffith wrote.

Police were notified after the threat was discovered and as a precaution students and staff from the K-6 school were moved to the Penns Valley High School gym.

An investigation is ongoing.

Afternoon dismissal and after-school activities will proceed as scheduled.

“Thank you for your patience as we continue to prioritize the safety of our school community,” Griffith wrote to parents and guardians.

It was the second time this academic year that a threat written on a wall disrupted the school day for Penns Valley students. All district schools were closed on Oct. 22 after a “non-specific threat” was found on a wall at the high school. Classes resumed as normal the following day.