Following a 10:29 a.m. notification by Maplewood Police on Friday, Feb. 23 of “police activity at Columbia High School in Maplewood Twp,” Village Green reached out to the South Orange-Maplewood School District for information.
District Communications Director Paul Brubaker sent an email from Acting CHS Principal Ann Bodnar, which was sent to the CHS community at 11:57 a.m. stating that a Code Yellow was called in the morning upon rumors that students from another school were infiltrating the building; Bodnar reported that the code was dismissed after police searched the building and found no trespassers.
See Bodnar’s full letter below.
However, according to a letter sent to the CHS community by Acting Supt. Dr. Kevin Gilbert around 10 p.m on Friday, a second Code Yellow was called on Friday afternoon. Gilbert wrote: “Unfortunately,… the school received additional information that there may be non-Columbia students in the building and additional students may be coming to Columbia High School after school. It was also rumored that a weapon may have been on campus. In collaboration with the Maplewood Police Department and, out of an abundance of caution, the school enacted emergency protocols and the second Code Yellow was called. The police again swept the building and determined it was safe to dismiss students. The police remained on campus through the afternoon as students were dismissed. At no time were any weapons found.”
The letter from Gilbert (see below) was shared by SOMSD Director of Communications Paul Brubaker on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 7:04 a.m.
Village Green is filing an Open Public Record Act request with the Maplewood Police for more information about the events.
From Acting Principal Ann Bodnar, Friday, Feb. 23, 11:57 a.m.:
Dear CHS Community,
In compliance with the state law N.J.S. 18A:41-1, we want to inform our school community that earlier today, a modified Code Yellow was activated at Columbia High School, indicating the implementation of our shelter-in-place procedures. The school administration received information that students from another high school in the area planned to trespass and attempt to enter Columbia High School.
As a precautionary measure, a Code Yellow, shelter-in-place, was initiated to prevent any unauthorized access. I am pleased to report that the Maplewood Police confirmed no trespassers entered the building, and our premises remain secure.
I would like to emphasize the importance of wearing IDs, using only the front and gym doors for entry and exit, and refraining from opening doors for others. These measures contribute to the overall safety and security of our school community.
Today’s implementation of Code Yellow protocols was executed with the same level of seriousness and sensitivity as our regular security exercises. We extend our gratitude to the students and staff for their excellent adherence to our procedures, and a special thanks to our local first responders for their invaluable support.
Thank you,
Ann
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction
