In the News: Students help avert a Newberg High School threat

By Tony Hernandez | The Oregonian/OregonLive 
 

Police and Newberg Public Schools officials told parents Friday morning a credible threat of violence against a high school was averted by two students.

The two Newberg High School students in question were later placed into custody "on charges unrelated to (the) school threat," according to a letter sent to parents and later shared with the media.

Claudia Stewart, the district's communications coordinator, said there would be an increased police presence at the school on Friday, but the school is not under lockout or lockdown. Classes are running normally.

The tip came from attentive students, she said.

"Students told a trusted adult their concerns, and those adults told the police. They responded immediately," Stewart said.

She declined to specify the details of the threat. Messages left with the Newberg-Dundee police were not returned Friday morning.

The situation provides an opportunity to remind parents to tell students to keep an open line of communication with adults about any credible threat.

Stewart said the investigation is ongoing.

According to the letter, the school will conduct a threat assessment to determine the threat's severity before determining the appropriate discipline and/or placement of the students.

-- Tony Hernandez
thernandez@oregonian.com
503-294-5928
@tonyhreports