Here's the email I received around 1:45pm.

September 4, 2024

Dear Jackson-Reed High School Parents and Families,

At Jackson-Reed, we are committed to ensuring a safe school environment for our students. Communicating about potential security incidents is essential to maintaining strong partnerships with families.

This morning around 9:50 a.m., school administration received a threat of violence against our building. We immediately went into an alert status and notified the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), DC Public Schools (DCPS) Police, and DCPS school security to investigate the threat.

During alert status, entering and exiting the building is not permitted, but instruction and student movement throughout the building occurs as usual. Please be assured students and staff remained safe and accounted for during this time.

Shortly before 11:00 a.m., MPD and DCPS Police completed their sweep of our campus and confirmed no threat was present. MPD provided the all-clear and we have returned to normal building operations. The remainder of the school day will proceed as planned. However, out of an abundance of caution, students and families may notice an increased police presence in the neighborhood today.

The safety of our students is paramount. If you have any questions, please call our school office at (202) 282-0120 or email me at sah.brown@k12.dc.gov.

Sincerely,

Sah Brown

Principal, Jackson-Reed High School

I'm super confused. My student was going in late today so after I got the first text I called the school at 10:15 and the office said No - no lockdown and school is open. I figured it was a technical error since there were no reports of any police activity in the area. So I sent my kid to school and they were able to enter the building for second period.

Later I learn that the school was not clear until 11:00. So.... that means that I sent my student into a potentially dangerous situation and that the "alert status" basically means nothing because they let people enter the building during this period.

And, of course, there was a real school shooting in Georgia today.

Anonymous wrote:Did somebody drive all the way off the Whole Foods parking deck this time?

Ha! Thank you for that moment of levity.

Did somebody drive all the way off the Whole Foods parking deck this time?

I would assume a swatting attempt.

From what my kid said, it sounds like the threat was outside the building. In the past, this has meant that some crime occurred nearby (or police thought someone they were pursuing for a crime was nearby), so they lockdown as a precaution.

Seriously. This is bad. I appreciate the text but context is helpful too.

It's total BS to not provide an explanation. Why is that so difficult? How about they stop the rumors and just say what was suspected (weapon, etc.). So annoying

JRHS just sent out all-clear message. No explanation of what's been happening.

Drill.

I got the same weird text. Called the school and they said there’s no lockdown. Weird

got this text: Jackson-Reed HS Families: Jackson-Reed HS is currently on alert status. During alert status, entering or exiting the building is not permitted. Students and staff are safe, and we will share more information as we are able.

Now my kid is saying the school says MPD said everything is ok. Obviously very third-hand and incomplete info.

No...my kid there says they're locked down in classrooms and "they put mpd at the school"

Anyone know what’s going on?