A West Seattle High School student was suspended for the rest of the academic year after writing graffiti threats on school walls.
In an e-mail sent to parents, Principal Susan Ders/ wrote of finding, "graffiti of a threatening nature written on several walls, apparently targeting security and administration, but also including a threat to general safety."
As a precaution, school officials notified Seattle Police in addition to Seattle Public Schools security. However the school did not go into general lockdown.
"Our collective assessment of the level of threat was that it was/is low, but we have taken precautions," Ders/ wrote. "This happened Tuesday, and I was briefed on it . . . upon my return to school from bereavement leave."
The student who wrote the threatening graffiti received a "long-term suspension," said Diane Pretz, the school's administrative secretary who spoke on Ders/'s behalf. Long-term means the student is barred from campus for the remainder of the school year, Pretz said.
During the past few months, "district security staff members have helped us to patrol the area surrounding the school during lunch time and after school," the West Seattle High School principal wrote. "This additional presence has helped us to keep a high profile among our young people and we are very appreciative of this extra support for West Seattle. Other than having the news media around the periphery, campus is nice and quiet."