Lockdown at Jefferson Triggered by Phone Malfunction

A 45-minute lock down at Jefferson Elementary School on Thursday left parents puzzled as to its cause until an email blast by Jefferson Principal Cheryl A. Scalzo just before lunch on Friday.

In that email, Scalzo explained that the lockdown was "triggered by an internal telephone malfunction."

Jefferson families were notified of the lockdown by an automated computer call and an email from the principal while it was happening, according to a Jefferson parent who contacted Emmaus Patch by email. However, no reason for the lockdown was given, the parent said.

In emailing parents on Friday, Scalzo filled in some of the missing pieces:

"Since the Emmaus Police Department as well as District Office personnel responded (to the lockdown) I felt the need to inform parents of the matter," she writes. "Unfortunately, I was unable to specify why the lockdown occurred, as I was not aware of the cause at the time.

"Following the lockdown and into the evening, district officials along with myself held an investigation, which found that the lockdown signal was triggered by an internal telephone malfunction," according to Scalzo.

Scalzo said that she visited each classroom today to commend students on how well they handled the lockdown, to explain its cause and to answer any questions. The afternoon kindergarden teacher had a similar discussion with her class.

Jefferson conducts one schoolwide fire drill and one lockdown drill each month during the school year, Scalzo writes.

"It is because of diligence in training with the protocol that yesterday’s lockdown was so successful," she says. "Please know that your child(ren) and their safety is always our number one priority."

Emmaus High School has been shut down several times during the 2012-2013 school year due to bomb hoaxes. Police charged a student in one of the incidents.