Student threat leads to school lockdown State police investigate. Superintendent calls situation a "safety drill" in letter to parents. Thursday, May 10, 2007 • By SARAH CASSI • The Express-Times HARMONY TWP. | Concerned parents met with township school officials Wednesday morning after a student's comments brought state police to Harmony School and prompted a lockdown. Robert Hill, a school parent and township committeeman, said a letter sent home with students explained that the school held a safety drill Tuesday and at the same time state police investigated comments made by a particular student. Hill said a student threatened another student and interim Superintendent Molly Petty downplayed the incident in her letter to parents. "Parents were irate. The letter was misleading. Every parent complained of the same thing," Hill said. Petty said she called parents Tuesday night to meet with her Wednesday morning. Petty, who has held the position since last August, said she chose to call the incident a safety drill. "I chose to call it that so as not to frighten the students, staff or parents," Petty said. Petty said it didn't matter what the incident was called because the same procedures are followed for either situation: An announcement is made, classrooms are locked, windows covered and students are ushered into a corner. "The students are equally safe with either one," Petty said. Petty said a parent called the school Tuesday morning and told school officials about a conversation her son had with another student. Petty wouldn't go into detail about what was said. Petty said she wanted the comments investigated and called state police at the Washington barracks. Petty said state police investigated the incident and no charges were filed. The lockdown lasted 20 minutes, Petty said. Petty said she, a state trooper and the school board president met with parents and heard concerns about the letter and the lockdown. Petty said she also received calls from parents unable to attend the meeting. Reporter Sarah Cassi can be reached at 610-258-7171 or by e-mail at scassi@express-times.com. . © 2007 The Express-Times. Used with permission.