Dear West Hempstead Families,
I am disheartened to share that a threat was made at the Secondary School this evening. There was a group chat with numerous seniors and phone numbers we do not know. A person made threats to a school. Although he did not mention West Hempstead by name, the district contacted law enforcement. The police have been investigating the situation and ensuring student safety.
I want to address a rumor that a student brought a firearm to school earlier in the week. This is not accurate.
The Nassau County Police will be present at the Secondary School tomorrow both inside and outside of the school building. If needed, law enforcement and district officials will perform random bag searches as an added level of security. Please be reminded, the Nassau County Police Department issued a warning notice to anyone who makes a school threat. All threats will be taken seriously, will be investigated, and will be forwarded to the Prosecutor’s office.
This threat is unacceptable. Not only does their social, emotional, and academic success suffer, threats can:
* Put the public at risk
* Divert law enforcement resources
* Disrupt our community in various ways
Please talk with your child(ren) about school threats, their impact, and the consequences that can result from such actions.
School safety remains our number one priority. The district will continue to work with law enforcement officials to ensure that all West Hempstead students attend classes in a safe learning environment. We also want to thank the students who shared this information with the police, their families, and the district.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me at 516-390-3107.
Thank you
Dan Rehman
Superintendent of Schools