Students and staff were evacuated today after a threat was found written in a school bathroom. Students and staff were transported to Francis Howell Central until the building was cleared by authorities.

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Students have since left FHC and returned to North and school was dismissed at the normal time.

The administration received knowledge of this threat at approximately 10:45 a.m. and eight minutes later Principal Jack Ameis made an announcement asking everyone in the school to evacuate.

At 11:18 a.m., after evacuating the building, Activities Director Mike Janes announced to students and staff who were assembled in the stadium that Francis Howell North received a bomb threat in a bathroom stall. Students were asked to remain calm and patient as the administration gathered information.

At 11:32 a.m. Janes announced on the press box intercom, as students gathered in the stadium stands, that students would be transported to FHC because of a bomb threat. Although many students took the available buses, others were allowed to check out and drive home or be picked up by parents. Parents can also pick up those students who were transported to Central. Students that were bused to FHC were placed in the football stadium, and any student with 4C lunch was permitted to eat at FHC.

At 1 p.m., it was announced that students would be bused back to FHN, where normal dismissal procedure would begin. This announcement came after they were informed that the St. Louis Police Department and St. Louis Airport Canine unit found no explosive devices at FHN. Parents were lined up at FHC for almost an hour waiting to pick up their students. Anyone not on a student’s emergency contact record was not be able to pick up a student.

At 1:16 p.m., Principal Jack Ameis, under the FHSD Facebook page, posted this update.

Students who did not eat at FHN during their regular lunch shift, were allowed to eat at Central or at North when they returned to FHN.

A false bomb threat is classified as a crime under Missouri law and charges will be filed if the individual responsible is caught.

Cross country practice was cancelled but all other after school activities are on as scheduled.

Stay tuned to FHNtoday.com as more information will be posted as it becomes available.