Update: Bomb Threat That Caused Early Dismissal Believed To Be A Hoax

PELHAM, NY — In an email sent to families Monday afternoon, Pelham Superintendent Cheryl H. Champ said that the school district had been made aware of a bomb threat at the Pelham Middle School/High School campus.

The campus was evacuated and dismissed early, following a bomb threat that was received by a teacher via email early Monday afternoon.

In a second email sent a short time later, the superintendent said that police gave the all clear after a thorough search.

"I want to thank our students, families and community for your incredible flexibility and patience as we navigated this evolving and difficult situation," Champ said. "We are pleased to report that the middle and high schools have been thoroughly searched by the Westchester County Bomb Squad with assistance from the K9 unit and determined there were no explosives and there was no credible threat."

High school students were told to communicate with their club advisor/coach about afternoon and evening extracurricular activities. Modified ice hockey is being held off-site at The Ice Hutch and all other middle school afterschool activities have been canceled for Monday evening.

Students will be allowed to collect any belongings left behind by reporting to the main entrance of the high school or middle school up until 6 p.m.

Police are actively investigating this incident, but school offcials said the threat appears to be a hoax, similar to what other districts in the region have experienced.

The Westchester County Real Time Crime Center and the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services have been monitoring similar incidents which are believed to be non-credible.

"I want to thank our administrators, teachers, support staff and school safety monitors for providing leadership and managing this situation with professionalism and compassion for our students," Champ said in a message to families. "I also want to thank the Pelham and Pelham Manor Police and Fire Departments, who arrived on scene within minutes to ensure the safety of our schools. We are also appreciative of the Westchester County Bomb Squad who responded promptly and cleared the building as expeditiously as possible. We are lucky to have such an incredible partnership with our local first responders and we are truly grateful ... I want to thank the staff at The Picture House and the Pelham Public Library for opening their doors for our students and providing a safe location for dismissal. Pelham is a community that rallies together in times of need and these organizations embodied that today."

This article was updated with new information from Superintendent Champ.