Students in the Greater Johnstown School District returned to classrooms Thursday morning.
That was after the last two days of classes were canceled due to a “school shooting threat” made against the school district.
“We’re here for them. We just want to calm them down, not downplay their anxieties and fears.
Tony Penna Jr., a behavioral specialist at Greater Johnstown High School, said when school reopened.
Authorities say two juveniles were arrested Wednesday morning in connection with threats made to the district earlier this week.
Law enforcement cannot say where the suspect is now.
However, authorities have reassured students and parents that there is no need to worry about these particular individuals.
Cumbria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said in a statement:
“Law enforcement continues to do everything possible to ensure the safety of students, teachers, administrators, and visitors to our schools. not.”
In a world where shooting drills in schools are as common as fire drills, mental health experts say it’s important to talk about how you’re feeling.
Students in Greater Johnstown spent the morning discussing threats with their teachers and peers in homeroom.
Penna says it’s better than sweeping it under the rug and pretending nothing happened.
“This is a little different world than we live in. There are different threats and fears. you just want to hear them. I want them to know that there are many resources here. You want to try to ease their fears and say, “Hey, listen, this is a safe place.”
For students who are feeling anxious, Penna tells them to focus and practice on safety measures that are already in school.
For Greater Johnstown, it’s metal detectors, wandings, school resource officers, and building security.
“Schools are safe places. All school people are working hard together with school resource personnel to make sure schools are safe places at all times.”
The most important thing, he says, is to trust the people who work in the building to take the fear out of learning.
“These are real and legitimate concerns. Everyone should take them seriously. is working.”
