Pocono News Section

School Violence Scare in the Poconos

School Violence Scare in the Poconos - Friday, February 29, 2008 at 2:18PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Feb 29, 2008 @02:18pm EST
BRODHEADSVILLE - Police paid extra attention to schools in the Pleasant valley District Friday because of a widespread rumor that it would be a violent day.

"Someone on the internet has designated February 29 as a day of anti-authority," explained Superintendent Doctor Douglas Arnold.

He showed WBRE news a Myspace page that calls February 29 two-twenty-nine and proclaims it as a day to fight authority.

Arnold said, "Somehow that has morphed itself into fears that there's going to be violence in schools but we really at this point have not received any type of a threat at Pleasant Valley."

When WBRE stopped by the Pleasant Valley Middle School it was business as usual. Kids seemed relaxed as they ate lunch. Even though it was clam and there were no specific threats, some parents didn't want to take any chances. Patrino Cuno kept her kids home.

"I didn't want my jids to be around or be involved in any of that - and it just terrified me the whole idea of it," said Cuno.

District officials said about 10-percent more kids than usual called out sick Friday. They also said they did their best to keep the kids who did show up safe. They added security patrols and checked all buildings before allowing students inside.

But some parents, like Patty Heller, wished the district sent a letter home that described the threat and detailed what the school was doing about it. She said, "We would have felt a lot beter and we would have been prepared for it and maybe our children would be in school today."

Other school districts in the Poconos also had some students stay home because of the perceived threat. Schools in the Lehigh Valley had the most kids out. It appears that is where the rumors originated.

WBRE did not receive any reports of school violence at any area school Friday.