South Berkshire Evacuates Sheffield Campus, Dismisses Classes
In a school community update just before 5 p.m., Regulbuto wrote that the potential bomb threat was brought to the attention of the administration on Friday morning, the building was evacuated and first-responders called.
The decision to evacuate students from the campus was made in conjunction with the Sheffield Police Chief Eric R. Munson III.
The Police and Fire department and State Police and Arson and Bomb Unit responded to the campus. The school buildings and campus were thoroughly searched, and law enforcement declared that the buildings and campus are safe.
Sheffield Police are still investigating the incident.
Students and staff who need to pick up their own possessions or vehicles will be allowed to enter through the schools' main entrances only between 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday evening and Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. There will not be access to the buildings from the community entrance.
"A huge thank you to the staff, first responders, Berkshire School, Massini Bus Company, our students and families for the immediate response, support and understanding as we dealt with this incident today," Regulbuto wrote. "The community came together to ensure our schools are a safe place for students and staff to learn and grow.
"Enjoy the weekend, and hug everyone a little tighter tonight."
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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — A potential bomb threat at Mount Everett Regional School has forced the evacuation of the campus and early dismissal of school, according to school officials.
In an email communication to the school community shortly before 11 a.m., Superintendent of Schools Beth Regulbuto stated that the more than 600 students were headed to Berkshire School "in accordance with our Evacuation Procedures."
Students will be dismissed directly from the Berkshire School evacuation site on their regularly scheduled afternoon buses. Children in Grade 4 and under will be brought to the Sheffield Senior Center if no one is home to receive them.
"As soon as the fleet of buses can get to the Berkshire School campus, students will be put on their regular bus to head home," Regulbuto sent in a follow-up email at 11:30. "I will send a follow-up message as soon as we can confirm a dismissal time."
All after-school activities on the Sheffield campus are canceled. New Marlborough Central School, located in Mill River with Grades prekindergarten through 4, will be following its regular school day.
The public junior-senior high school has an enrollment of about 360 and the attached Undermountain Elementary School has about 290 in Grades prekindergarten through 6. Berkshire School is a private day and boarding school on Undermountain Road, less than three miles away from the high school.
Regulbuto was asking parents not to come to the campus because emergency personnel need it to remain clear to transport students to the evacuation site. Students and parents will be apprised as to when they can recover personal items from the campus.
Parents can call 1-413-229-8778, Ext. 158, in the event of an emergency. Information will be provided to the school community as it becomes available.
Mount Everett Regional is part of the Southern Berkshire Regional School District that educates children from the towns of Alford, Egremont, Monterey, Sheffield and New Marlborough.
Tags: dismissal, evacuation, SBRSD, threats,
