UPDATE: The Atherton Police Department reported on its website that police lifted the lockdown at Menlo-Atherton High School at 1:52 p.m. and that the person they were looking for was "not on campus."
A message from M-A Principal Simone Rick-Kennel released to the school community said the school day at M-A "will resume as normal," according to Superintendent Mary Streshly of the Sequoia Union High School District.
"No threat was found" and police "completed their clearing of all classrooms and spaces on our very large site," Ms. Rick-Kennel said in her message.
This morning, school officials in an email to the school community said that M-A, at 555 Middlefield Road, was on a precautionary lockdown as advised by the Atherton Police Department.
A photograph on social media depicting an M-A student in possession of a firearm led to the precautionary measure, officials said.
"There is no threat to our students," the officials said at the time. The lockdown was ordered so as to assist police in their investigation, officials said.
More information, when available, will be shared "immediately," officials said.
The Almanac learned of the lockdown through an email sent by M-A Athletic Director Paul Snow to a reporter notifying him that a scheduled event was being canceled.
The lockdown is not a drill, Mr. Snow added. He said he had no further information to provide.
School and school district officials and the Atherton Police Department have not yet responded to The Almanac's requests for comment.
Secure campus at Laurel School, lower campus
Update:
According to Menlo Park City School District spokesperson Parke Treadway, "The secure campus at Laurel School Lower Campus was lifted at 1:55 p.m. after M-A confirmed that their lockdown was lifted and no threat was found. (Menlo Park City School District_ parents were notified at 1:58 p.m. by email and text that the secure campus was lifted and activities resumed as normal. The school provided heavier than usual staff presence at dismissal time. Dismissal occurred as usual at 2:55 p.m."
As of 1:30 p.m., Laurel School, Lower Campus, a school in the Menlo Park City School District that instructs students in kindergarten through second grade, had implemented a "secure campus" protocol, holding students indoors with doors locked, while instruction continues as normal.
Ms. Treadway explained that the measure was taken in response to information coming from Menlo-Atherton High School and the Atherton Police Department, due to the school's proximity to Menlo-Atherton High School. The elementary school is located at 95 Edge Road in Atherton.
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