2nd Bomb Hoax Arrest Eases Emmaus High Bathroom Restrictions

Restrictive bathroom policies at Emmaus High School may be “normalized” now that a second student has been arrested in relation to one of the four separate bomb threats made against Emmaus High School between Dec. 20 and March 12, East Penn Superintendent of Schools Thomas L. Seidenberger says.

A 16-year-old sophomore boy, accused in connected with a March 12 bomb hoax, was charged with making terroristic threats in juvenile court on March 20, according to Emmaus Police.

, was charged previously.

Police are still investigating bomb threats made on Feb. 21 and Feb. 26.

Since some of the threats were made through notes left in the bathroom—possibly written on bathroom mirrors, according to EHS parents and students— Seidenberger and EHS principal Dave Piperato made the decision to restrict bathroom access following the Feb. 26 threat.

“Yes, the high [school] had closed some student lavatories so that all lavatories could be monitored by support [staff],” Seidenberger told Patch in an email. “After a second student had been identified and arrested, Mr. Piperato and I discussed the situation. He conferred with students and staff and they are ready to take a step toward normalizing the situation. Let’s hope that the situation continues to improve and that we can return to a normal operation."

Parents and students have complained to Patch about bathroom restrictions at the high school in recent weeks, including complete lack of bathroom access in some instances and waits of 30 minutes or more to use the restroom in others. Parents have pointed out that a 30-minute line to get into the bathroom translates into 40 minutes or more of lost instructional time.

“It has been a difficult and bothersome time for all associated with the high school and yes we have some complaints,” Seidenberger writes. “But I feel that the majority of students and staff have responded in an understanding way. No one was happy that we had to do something to monitor behavior. It is so sad that we had to take precautions. Hopefully this will never happen again.”