On Wednesday, October 23, 2024 there was a level two lockdown that lasted 30 minutes from approximately 12:30 – 1 p.m. The school only received information that there was a potential threat 15 minutes before the lockdown began.
In 15 minutes law enforcement was involved, the district office and principal were notified, and a plan of action was made. The same fake threat was sent out to multiple schools in Anaheim Union High School District (AUHSD) as well as other schools outside of AUHSD. Cypress tried their “best to immediately jump into action, to try and keep students safe,” said Assistant Principal, Eric Tenorio. Law enforcement swept the entire school; making sure that our campus was safe. Specifics on the threat remain vague beyond the fact that, “it was significant enough for us to have to involve law enforcement,” Tenorio said.
Determining the level of lockdown is a collaboration with law enforcement. There are three different levels of a lockdown:
Level 1: Alerts staff
Level 2: Everyone must stay in class, but instruction continues
Level 3: Lights out and barricading the door
Years ago, people were scared of a nuclear bomb attack. Now students are expected to prepare for a school shooting. Junior Lia Song said, “It’s a procedure we have to go through, because school shootings are so often.” Junior Lana Nishino, feeling that, “We shouldn’t have to worry about lockdowns because of school shootings.”
