Crime & Safety

Update: Evacuation at Unqua Elementary

Students evacuated Tuesday after office receives threatening message.

Update, 12:55 p.m.: Students have been relocated to Berner Middle School, the district announced.

Unqua Elementary School was evacuated Tuesday morning after a threatening message was received, school officials said.

Nassau County Police say they were investigating an incident at the school after receiving a call at 10:45 a.m., but wouldn't comment further. 

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Students were initially moved from the building to the field behind the school. They have since been relocated to Berner Middle School, the district announced.

The students were being fed lunch at noontime, according to district spokeswoman Felicia Febrizio.

Find out what's happening in Massapequawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Many of the students were taking the the state English Language Arts test when the evacuation began, she said.

The test will not resume Tuesday and the district will likely a makeup day, according to Febrizio.

Police were going combing through the building, to ensure that it was safe, Febrizio said.

But district officials said they expected to have a normal dismissal at Unqua.

In a note posted on the district website, school officials said the threat was received at the general office.

"Police officials are on site and we are working closely with them at this time," the note said. "All students and staff are currently evacuated onto the Unqua field, and will remain there until police officials provide further direction."

The district said students will not be released and individuals won't be allowed near the building during the emergency.


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