WISH-TV
Carmel High School officials released another statement Thursday afternoon, addressing two more incidents occurring at Carmel High School. The first involved a student yelling “gun” loudly in the cafeteria and students running for the exit, and the other a student who brought a knife onto Carmel High School property. Principal Tom Harmas says no one was in danger in either incident.
Harmas’ statement followed a statement and video issued earlier in the day regarding a threat of violence that was later deemed not credible by police and school officials.
See Harmas’ statement below:
I wanted to bring to your attention an incident that happened today in the lunch room in which a student with special needs had a behavioral struggle. Trained staff engaged in a crisis prevention institute approved physical restraint to keep the student safe as well as all other students safe. When students saw what was taking place and were unsure of the situation, they immediately went into their school safety training and began evacuating the building. There was never a threat to student or staff safety, nor was a student in possession of a gun. Within a matter of minutes, students and staff were brought back into the building to resume classes as normal.
In a separate incident, thanks to our students following our “see something say something philosophy,” staff was alerted to a student who was in possession of a knife. Administration and SROs quickly responded and took the student into custody. At no time were students ever threatened with the knife.
We understand the accumulation of rumors and the very recent tragedy of a school shooting in Florida has made students, parents and the community feel a sense of unease, concern and worry. While we know parent and student anxiety is high, we assure you we work closely with the Carmel Police Department, as well as our first responders at a county and state level to ensure the safety of all those on our campuses and in our buildings. We continue to make the safety of our students, employees and visitors a top priority.
Counselors and social workers, along with our teachers and Student Resource Officers provide support and care for students who may be feeling fearful or anxious. It’s important to know students have a positive outlet to express these concerns and we ask that we all work together as a community to address these concerns.
I wanted to share with you some of the ways in which we work to ensure a safe learning environment:
When a safety concern arises, our team thoroughly reviews the incident to determine what, if any, adjustments may be needed for the safety of our students and staff. Below I have listed some of the safety measures currently in place at Carmel Clay Schools:
- All staff in all of our Carmel Clay Schools are trained in safety procedures and protocols on a regular basis.
- CHS has four Carmel Police Department officers in the building (SROs) during the school day; all elementary and middle schools have assigned SROs.
- All staff and students are familiar with our ALICE training program certification (alicetraining.com/our-program/alice-training).
- All staff and students participate in safety drills and scenario based drills on a monthly basis.
- Carmel Police Department and Carmel Clay Schools collaborate and review each school’s safety plans on a regular basis.
- All schools have all exterior doors locked during the school day and all individuals that enter the school must be checked in through our school security software, SchoolGate Guardian.
- Carmel Clay Schools offers Anonymous Alert, an electronic reporting system located in MyCCS in which students and parents can anonymously report safety concerns.
Principal Harmas explained that before the Wednesday high school shooting in Parkland, Fla., a Carmel High School student posted a video showing off ammunition magazines. That video went viral within the school body and many students believed it was a threat.
Harmas says a rumor then began that a mass shooting was planned for a school convocation Friday, when all 5,000+ students at CHS would be present. Parents began calling the district and police department with questions, and when news of the Florida shootings hit Wednesday evening, parents said the situation suddenly looked much darker.
Carmel High School students told 24 Hour News 8 on Thursday that students are becoming more and more paranoid, and that the last two weeks have been markedly different than previous years.