Stanton College Prep doing ‘controlled dismissal’ due to earlier ‘sounds of gunfire in the area’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Stanton College Preparatory School is releasing students under a “controlled dismissal” as the school was on lockdown due to “sounds of gunfire in the area” on Thursday afternoon, according to communications from the school.

Families were sent an initial message at 2:32 p.m. saying students and staff were safe as the school was on a “Code Yellow” lockdown. A Code Yellow lockdown means students and staff are “limited to essential movement only.”

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Here is the full text of the messages that were sent to families:

Initial Communication sent 2:32 PM

“Hello Stanton College Prep families, This is Duval County Public Schools calling. First, I want to assure you that all students and staff are safe. Again, all students and staff are safe.

“However, Stanton is on a lockdown right now due to sounds of gun fire in the area. Repeating, Stanton is on lockdown currently due to sounds of gunfire in the area.

“I remind you that when a school is on lockdown, no one is allowed to enter or leave the school. So, please do not come the school at this time.

“We will keep you informed and call you back if we receive any additional information. Thank you for your cooperation and patience, and we will keep you informed. Goodbye.”

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Dismissal Communication sent 3:01 PM

“Hello Stanton families, this is Duval County Public Schools calling with an update. Working with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, we have determined that the school can dismiss almost as normal. The school will be under a code yellow for dismissal, which means dismissal will be controlled and may progress slower than usual. However, if you normally drive your children home, you may come to the school and pick them up as normal. Students who ride busses be transported as normal. Again, the school remains under code yellow, but will implement a controlled dismissal.”

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