Parent Patrice Athanasidy said New York State troopers were at Walter Panas High School and only one entrance was open to the school, causing traffic to back up. She said students' bags were being checked when they entered the school.
James VanDevelde, Lakeland's communications director, said "high schools throughout the area, including Panas, have been experiencing social media chatter about 'the end of the world' and, as everyone is doing, we have had increased police presence there."
Yorktown Superintendent Ralph Napolitano also said a rumor regarding a threat at Yorktown High School circulated around school and on social media websites. The threat was investigated by school officials and Yorktown police and was determined to be "untrue and unfounded," Napolitano said.
"While I was hesitant to share the correspondence with you, I understand how everyone's fear and anxiety levels are heightened after the tragic event of the last week," Napolitano said in a letter to parents. "We always have, and always will, pay close attention to issues like these. Safety and security remain our top priorities."
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