All afterschool extracurricular activities were canceled after the Midtown administration received a call around 4:40 p.m. yesterday with a threat of a bomb in the building. 

Following the call, Atlanta Public Schools (APS) officers used K-9 units to sweep the school for threats. Principal Dr. Betsy Bockman sent out a message to the Midtown community later in the evening saying that nothing suspicious was located on campus and that the search was stopped around 5 p.m.

“I collaborated with our School Resource officers and other APS PD officers and it was decided to evacuate the building and cancel after school activities while the APSPD K-9 units performed a thorough sweep of the building/facilities,” Bockman said in the message. “We must check all threats as a precautionary measure, and because the safety of our students and staff always comes first.”

Among the affected groups were Fall sports teams, including the cheerleading, volleyball and football teams. 

“It was annoying, but no one was really phased by it,” senior Co-Captain of the cheerleading team Amelia Lignugaris said. “It’s sad how normal things like this seem to be at school now.”

In addition to athletes attending practice, students staying after school to receive sports physicals in the Practice Gym also had to evacuate the school. In her message, Bockman said the physicals will be given out another day next week.

The Midtown administration has now received a bomb threat call for the second consecutive year, the first being last December. Although the threat yesterday did not disrupt the school day, the previous threat pushed the completion of final exams to after the semester break.

“I would say that it doesn’t exactly start the school year off with a safe feeling,” varsity volleyball player, junior Julia Williams, said. “It’s also not just affecting people at school, but it’s also now affecting extracurriculars and students’ lives outside of the academic environment.”

Principal Bockman reiterated assuring sentiments in her message.

“We will be ready to enjoy a regular schedule and school day tomorrow,” Bockman said in a message that evening. “As an additional precautionary measure, K9 units will be on campus tomorrow during arrival and throughout the day.”