PIKELAND SCHOOLS TO GO SAFE AND SECURE DURING COMMUNITY BOMB THREAT DRILL

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Pikeland CUSD #10 is alerting families ahead of a planned community safety exercise scheduled for Wednesday, September 30, from approximately 9 to 11 a.m.

Illini Community Hospital will conduct a community-wide bomb threat drill in partnership with multiple local emergency response agencies. School officials emphasize that the exercise is planned and there is no actual threat to the hospital, Pikeland schools, or the community.

During the exercise, Pikeland CUSD #10 schools will be placed in Safe and Secure status. Normal school operations and classroom activities will continue inside the buildings, but students and staff will remain indoors and will not be outside during the exercise.

Families are being notified in advance so they are not alarmed by emergency vehicles or increased emergency response activity around Pittsfield. District officials say exercises like this give schools, the hospital, law enforcement, first responders and other community partners an opportunity to practice communication, coordination and emergency response procedures.

The notice was issued to Pikeland families by Assistant Superintendent Ryan Benz.