Paton School Locked Down Due to Bank Robbery

At about noon today, the asked Principal Jayne Wilkin to institute the lock down procedure as a precaution due to an attempted robbery of the on Maple Avenue, according to Superintendent of School Joseph Sawyer.

About 30 minutes later, the Shrewsbury police issued clearance to resume school operations. Other than adjustments to the lunch and recess schedule, the afternoon is proceeding as normal.

"The staff and students did an excellent job of following procedures and remaining calm," Dr. Sawyer said in a letter to parents. "The teachers are communicating to the students in an age-appropriate way that the lock down was due to a bank robbery nearby, that everyone was safe and that this allowed the police to do their job. I wanted to be sure that you were made aware of this as it is likely that the students will be coming home with a variety of stories regarding what happened (for example, I'm told that one second grade class was already speculating that they couldn't go out to recess because of a rabid squirrel...)."

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Sawyer's office at 508-841-8400.