Soft Lockdown At New Trier High School, Police Called For 'Emergency' Involving Student

WINNETKA, IL — Police were called to New Trier High School Thursday morning for an unspecified incident involving a student.

Administrators initiated a soft lockdown at the Winnetka campus, holding students in their classrooms for about 30 minutes while keeping students in and visitors out.

Superintendent Paul Sally and Winnetka Police Chief Brian O’Connell issued a joint statement to New Trier families soon after the incident, explaining to parents it turned out there was never any risk.

Police were called to secure the building "due to an emergency involving an individual student."

"Due to privacy concerns we cannot disclose additional information, but we can assure all families and students that our campuses are safe and secure," they said. "It was clearly identified during the hold that at no time were any students or staff in danger."

There was no weapon involved in the incident, school officials said later.

Sally and O'Connell acknowledged being held in classrooms during a soft lockdown may have scared some students. If they need more help, they suggested visiting the school's social work department or talking to their advisor or another trusted adult.

A district spokesperson said school officials refer to such soft lockdown procedures as a "hold" and a "secure."

Administrators only consider it a full-blown "lockdown" when students are told "to run or hide from a source of danger in the building."