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Pleasanton police, plain clothes officers and school district security are at Foothill High School campus this morning as the investigation continues into who posted a threat as graffiti in a girl's bathroom on campus about shooting up the school today.

The graffiti, which started with an expletive and added "Watch me shoot everyone on March 14," was written on a girls' bathroom wall Tuesday and quickly photographed by several students who then posted the message on Facebook and other social media.

That started rumors circulating, said Foothill principal John Dwyer.

In a statement to students, parents and school district faculty Wednesday, Dwyer said:

"We know you're all eager for an update on the situation regarding threatening language in graffiti found in a Foothill campus bathroom on Tuesday, March 12.

"We held a staff meeting Wednesday morning with school district staff and Pleasanton police department officials. Superintendent Parvin Ahmadi and Captain Craig Eicher addressed staff, committed resources to our school and discussed the plan we have in place to deal with this situation.

"Pleasanton police are providing a greater police presence on campus and will conduct additional patrols and regular visits to campus, in
addition to the standard school resource officer presence on campus. The school district is providing additional campus supervisors and custodians to maintain a high level of vigilance and security. Teachers have reviewed lock-down procedures and are locking classroom doors during the day as a precautionary measure.

"Throughout the day Wednesday, teachers spoke with students about this issue and reminded them to let a responsible adult know if they know about anything that might present a safety or security risk to the campus.

"Teachers also discussed the district's 24-hour anonymous tip line. Counselors were on hand to support students feeling anxious and are available for students who need support. Administrators continued working with police to investigate the issue.

"We understand the concerns. We encourage all students to attend school. As a community, we are working to maintain as normal a day as possible. We are very pleased and reassured by the response of staff and students to this situation and know that the resources the school district and police department have brought to bear are making a
positive difference in our school safety and security."

Dwyer's email address is jdwyer@pleasantonusd.net.

The main telephone number for Foothill is 461-6600.

The school also has a 24-hour anonymous tip line at 417-5199. The Pleasanton police non-emergency telephone number is 931-5100.




PLEASANTON, Calif. -- Students at Foothill High School in Pleasanton are showing up to school as normal Thursday, apparently unfazed by threatening graffiti that was found in a girls' bathroom stall on Tuesday.

Despite the threat, morning attendance at the high school was about 92 percent, Pleasanton Unified School District spokeswoman Nicole Steward said.

About 110 students called out of school, and the cheerleading squad and lacrosse team are away at events. Some other students are on school-organized field trips, Steward said.

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There are 2,200 students enrolled at the school.
The graffiti, scrawled on the wall of a bathroom stall in marker, read, "I f---ing hate everyone at this school!!!! Watch me shoot everyone on March 14th! I swear to God!!!!!!"

District officials and peer tutors made a point of visiting the high school campus this morning to show the students and parents that the school is safe, Steward said.

Steward said some students are saying they believe the threat was "sensationalized."

Pleasanton police are beefing up patrols at the school as a precaution. Instead of the usual one officer, there are four uniformed officers patrolling the grounds, Steward said.

The patrols are happening around the clock, and the added police presence will extend through Friday, she said.

After the graffiti was found Tuesday, faculty and staff were briefed about the threat at a staff meeting Wednesday, and were instructed to talk to each of their classes about the incident, she said.

All classroom doors were locked once classes started today, but that is normal protocol for the high school, Steward said.

Police have interviewed several students who posted photos of the graffiti online and others they believe may have information about the threatening message.

Parents or students with information about the graffiti are asked to call the school as soon as possible at (925) 461-6600 or via an anonymous tip line at (925) 417-5199.

Pleasanton Weekly staff

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