Attempt to "get a day off from school"

Dear Parents:

We want to notify you of a situation that developed at Mill Valley High School.  The MVHS administrative staff received an official tip from Shawnee Police on Wednesday, March 4, 2009, that Mill Valley may receive a false bomb threat designed to get "a day off from school".   When the building phone messages were checked very early Thursday morning, a bomb threat was indeed left on the Mill Valley voicemail system.  The message had been recorded after 9 p.m. on March 4.

Thanks to the advanced notice of police, appropriate steps from our Crisis Plan were taken very early on March 5, 2009, by the district to ensure the school was safe for normal operation. The Shawnee Police Department and other agencies are actively investigating the false threat.  At no time did Shawnee Police believe students and staff were in harm's way.

The district takes very seriously the safety and security of students and staff.  We will cooperate fully with authorities because making a false bomb threat is a federal offense punishable under United States Code 18-844e, with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, $250,000 fine, or both. This penalty also applies to juvenile offenders.

To protect the integrity of the active investigation, we cannot reveal other details of the situation at the request of authorities.  Parents, students, and staff are encouraged to contact Officer John Midiros, MVHS School Resource Officer, or Shawnee Police, if they come across any information which may assist in the apprehension of those responsible.

We want to assure you that your children are safe.  Should any additional information surface that we believe would be helpful to you, we will keep you advised.

Sincerely,
Joe Novak, Ed.D.
Principal
Mill Valley High School
913-422-4351

Mill Valley High School is located at 5900 Monticello Road in Shawnee, Kansas.

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