Classes at Juanita High School have been cancelled for Friday, Feb. 5 after vague threats were left in the girl’s bathroom Tuesday. A similar threatening message was also found at Redmond High School, which also resulted in classes being cancelled for Friday.
“The safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance. Out of an abundance of caution, since we cannot yet determine the credibility of these threats, we have made the difficult decision to close Juanita High School and Redmond High School on Friday, Feb. 5,” said Lake Washington School District Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce in a release.
The release also stated: “The threats were specific to these schools: there were no threats to other schools in the district and all other schools will be open.”
There are unconfirmed reports on social media and from students that a second message was found on Thursday at JHS, as well.
All activities and building use at JHS have been cancelled for Friday. The KingCo wrestling tournaments scheduled will be rescheduled and relocated, and the scheduled diving meet has been moved to the Bellevue Aquatic Center.
The announcement was sent out Thursday by Lake Washington School District after a message was written on a dispenser found in the girl’s bathroom on Tuesday, in which nonspecific threats are made against the school. Alleged photos of the threat were posted on social media and stated: “Don’t come to school on 2/5 if you like your life. I’m sorry.” The message is signed “F.”
A second message was allegedly found in the boy’s bathroom on Thursday that read “I warned you not to come Friday,” which reportedly resulted in additional police presence following the initial investigation that started Wednesday.
Prior to classes being cancelled, teachers were allegedly telling students not to come if they didn’t feel comfortable.
KPD Spokesperson Lt. Mike Murray said that there has been no update on the police investigation as of Thursday afternoon into the messages at JHS.
Students and staff at both schools will make up the missed school day and an additional day will be added to the school year.
