CONTACT INFORMATION:

Cedar Springs Public School District
Scott Smith, Superintendent Cedar Springs Public Schools
616-696-1204
Scott.Smith@csredhawks.org

Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Sgt. Joy Matthews, Community Relations Liaison/Public Information Officer
616-632-6106
joy.matthews@kentcountymi.gov

RELEASE DATE:
For Immediate Release

CEDAR SPRINGS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

[Cedar Springs, Michigan, March 11, 2021] –

Just before the start of school on Thursday, March 11, Cedar Springs Public Schools officials received a bomb threat in the form of an email. The message indicated a threat at Cedar Springs High School. Staff took immediate action to ensure all students and staff who were in the building were quickly moved to secure locations. Students who had not yet entered the building remained in their cars or on their school buses. As a precautionary safety measure, all schools on the Cedar Springs Public Schools Campus were immediately closed for the day.

The Kent County Sheriff’s Office responded immediately to the scene. A Canine Team from the Michigan State Police confirmed that the High School was safe at 11:20 a.m. The Kent County Sheriff’s Office will be investigating the incident further on behalf of Cedar Springs Public School District.

Now that we have determined that our campus is physically safe, our focus will be to support our students and staff from an emotional perspective and to find the person who is responsible for calling in the bomb threat. Our team of highly trained mental health providers is working on a plan to support students and staff upon re-entering school on Friday, March 12. We are committed to creating safe and secure environments, both physically and emotionally, for all who enter our schools.

When crisis situations arise, our team turns to our safety protocols and ongoing training. The teamwork of our students, parents, Cedar Springs Public Schools staff and administration, local law enforcement agencies, and community partners, is critical to a positive outcome and calm spirit. The District is appreciative of the cooperation from families as the emergency protocols were put into place. Their calm response and trust helped keep students and employees safe.

Anyone with information regarding potentially threatening situations in our schools is encouraged to contact the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, school administrators, or Silent Observer.

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