Police and school officials say two bomb threats that prompted the evacuation and closure of Barrington High School Monday afternoon were a hoax.
The Barrington Police Department and Barrington Fire Department responded to the school, located at 616 West Main Street, around 1 p.m. Monday for a report of a bomb threat.
Students and staff at the school were evacuated “out of an abundance of caution” after a second bomb threat was made, according to Barrington District 220 officials.
The district dismissed students who drive or walk to school for the day.
The district in a message informed students, who rely on district transportation, to make their way to the bus loading area to begin boarding buses to be transported home.
“Students who are picked up by parents should make their way to the west lot for normal parent pick-up,” the district said in a message.
In a follow-up message to parents, the district announced the Barrington High School campus was closed and all athletic, including on and off campus, and extracurricular activities would be canceled for the day.
The Cook County Bomb Squad, Chicago Police Department bomb-sniffing canines and multiple other police departments responded to the scene.
A search of the campus found no threat and classes will resume Tuesday. The campus remains closed Monday.
Barrington Police Chief David Dorn and Barrington District 220 Superintendent Dr. Robert Hunt said in a joint statement that investigators confirmed the event is related to a growing hoax trend known as “swatting,” which has been occurring in school districts across the country.
“We understand that events like this can cause stress and anxiety; therefore, school psychologists, counselors, and social workers will be available on Tuesday for anyone who wishes to speak to them,” Dorn and Hunt said in the statement.
All testing that was scheduled for students in their classes will be rescheduled.
Students will receive further guidance from their teachers during the school day on Tuesday, the officials said.