An elementary school in Lake in the Hills is on lockdown for the second day in a row after a threatening message referencing a weapon on campus was left in a restroom.
Martin Elementary School was put on a “hold in place and teach” lockdown, the school said around 10 a.m. Friday.
A threatening piece of graffiti was found in a student restroom.
The message references the presence of a weapon on school grounds.
Authorities are working to determine if the message is connected to Thursday’s threat, which also involved a threatening piece of graffiti found in a student restroom.
School officials said common spaces and hallways have been cleared.
Officers from the Lake in the Hills Police Department responded to the school to “ensure the safety of students and staff” and aid in the investigation.
Students are learning in their classrooms as the investigation remains ongoing in determining if a safety threat exists, school officials said.
Parents and visitors are not allowed in the building. Roadways and access to the Reed Road Campus remain open.
“While we know this is not ideal, we appreciate your patience and understanding as we take this threat seriously and work to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” school officials said.
In an update around 10:50 a.m. Friday, the school said the lockdown remains in place and the cafeteria spaces have been searched and deemed safe for students to occupy.
Students will be served lunches as normal at their regularly scheduled times.
“We will continue to keep you updated on the progress of the investigation as we work to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Parents can expect a more detailed plan later today of our buildingโs response to limit these instances and keep our students safe,” the school said in a statement.
The Lake in the Hills Police Department said in a statement they take all threats to children and their community seriously.
“Please do not inundate 9-1-1 with calls – staff and children are safe and learning in their classrooms. Updates will be provided via District texts and emails directly to parents and via social media as they become available,” the police department said.