Undefined Explosive Device (UED) event in New Jersey, Kelly Elementary School, West Orange area, United States of America on Fri 29th April 2022

A note was found that read, "There is a bomb in here," the district superintendent said. WEST ORANGE, NJ — Authorities evacuated an elementary school in West Orange on Friday morning after a note was found with a message reading: "There is a bomb in here." Interim Superintendent C. Lauren Schoen alerted the community to the developing situation via social media: "The West Orange Police Dept. is currently at Kelly Elementary School. The Essex County Sheriff's Department is performing a bomb sweep of the interior and exterior of the building due to an earlier threat. Kelly students remain safe at the West Orange High School (WOHS) Auditorium and are being well cared for by the Kelly and WOHS staff." Schoen provided an update shortly afterward: "We have just been in communication with the West Orange Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff's Department. The bomb squad has found no evidence of a bomb or other threat inside or outside of Kelly Elementary School. Our Kelly students are currently being escorted by the Kelly staff members and the Officers of the West Orange Police Department back to their building to resume their day. We are grateful that our students and staff are safe. We are sincerely appreciative of the West Orange Police Department's prompt response, the diligence of the Essex County Sheriff's Office, and the kindness of the West Orange High School staff, as well as the assistance of the outstanding Kelly Elementary staff." The superintendent offered a more detailed statement later Friday. Schoen's full message follows below. "Many of you may be aware that Kelly Elementary School was evacuated this morning because of a bomb threat. The following offers greater detail and clarification. "Specifically, we were informed that a small Post-It note was found with a written statement that read, "There is a bomb in here." The following next steps ensued per our emergency district threat protocol. "The West Orange Public Schools are committed to the safety of all of our students and staff. In an abundance of caution, the Kelly students and staff were instructed to evacuate the building. The students were escorted from Kelly to West Orange High School for a brief period of time while the situation was assessed by the West Orange Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff's Department. "With the assistance of our district's communication's team, I distributed information to our families, providing alerts and updates, while working closely with law enforcement in order to be succinct with messages, keeping everyone apprised of the situation in real time. "In short order, the thorough search and assessment by law enforcement took place at Kelly school and determined that no threat, bomb or otherwise, was evident inside or outside of the building. "While this was taking place, our Kelly students were well cared for in the high school auditorium by their teachers and by the staff and administration of the high school. It was made very evident today that the safety of our children and staff always come first. The quick pivot and response to this unfortunate situation was impressively seamless. "All threats to our schools, students and staff are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. We share the facts with parents and guardians so that discussions of the situation can take place freely with your child, where the seriousness of the issue can be emphasized, and where the child can be congratulated for their response in maintaining good behavior and following directions perfectly. We are very proud of our children, and we are grateful that they and our staff are safe. "On behalf of the West Orange Board of Education, tremendous gratitude is also extended to our West Orange Police Department and to our partners at the Essex County Sheriff Department."