CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — Cleveland Heights High School and Monticello Middle School were placed on lockdown on Friday afternoon.
The lockdown was ordered after both schools received social media threats. A spokesperson for the city of Cleveland Heights told 3News the threats were of possible "shootings."
According to a statement from the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District, police determined the threats were not credible.
Both buildings were initially put on a "Level 2 Lockdown," which the school district defines as “All exterior and interior doors are locked; movement within the school is allowed only by announcement from the administration. No entry into or exit from the building is allowed. Students are to return to their rooms immediately. Students outside for PE, recess, etc. are to move indoors and to a classroom immediately. Students remain in class. Activity in the classroom continues as usual.”
Parents were initially advised not to come to pick up their children.
"The lockdown is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of our students and staff," school officials told district families in an email.
Cleveland Heights police went to both buildings to investigate. At 1:54 p.m., Cleveland Heights High School staff and families were notified that the school was now at a Level 1 lockdown and parents/guardians were able to come pick up their student. Students who were unable to leave early were dismissed on a staggered schedule starting at 2:15 p.m.
While basketball and swim conditioning was canceled Friday, other afterschool activities and sports were able to proceed.
Meanwhile, Monticello remained at a Level 2 lockdown. Students were cleared to be picked up by parents/guardians at 2:26 p.m. Those unable to be picked up remained in their classrooms until the school went through a staggered dismissal.
Both schools provided meals to students who missed lunch due to the lockdown.
You can see the full statement from CH-UH below:
"Today, Heights High School and Monticello Middle School were placed on lockdown for several hours due to separate social media threats. We acknowledge the administrators and staff at both schools for managing a difficult situation with calm professionalism, as well as the students for their maturity, and our families for their understanding.
"Cleveland Heights Police have determined that the threats were not credible. We continue to work with them as they complete their investigation."
More from 3News:
- Jim Jordan fails to become speaker in 3rd ballot, losing even more GOP support
- Cardinal Local Schools closed Friday due to 'presence of bed bugs' in buildings, buses
- Cleveland Museum of Art files lawsuit against New York district attorney to keep statue worth $20M
- Browns QB Deshaun Watson expected to start Sunday at Indy after missing 2 games with shoulder injury
- Bedford's Anna Ningler-Farone breaking barriers as kicker for Bearcats varsity football team
- Rocky River superintendent met with mixed reaction at board meeting as investigation into employees continue
- List of Northeast Ohio school districts with levies and bond issues on the November 7 election ballot
- Cleveland Amber Alert canceled after 1-year-old girl found near Toledo, father arrested
- The White House details its $105 billion funding request for Israel, Ukraine, the border and more
- Actor Peter Billingsley previews 'Behind the Camera: A Christmas Story Official 40th Anniversary' in Cleveland
- WATCH: Shaker Heights High School featured on 'TODAY' show
