Threatening Call Leads to Early Dismissal of Rochester Catholic Schools, All Students & Staff are Safe, Officials Say

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) are requesting parents and guardians make an immediate pick-up of their students at Holy Spirit Catholic School

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That’s according to an email sent to school families of students attending the preschool-grade 5 school in northwest Rochester on Thursday morning. Officials are also implementing an early dismissal for the four other RCS buildings. 

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A series of emails sent to families is instructing Holy Spirit Catholic School families to pick up their students at Gibbs Elementary, located at 5525 56th St. Northwest. 

“We want to reassure you that all students and staff are safe,” the email to families says. 

School officials say the request for an immediate pick-up is due to what was described as a “concerning phone call” received at Holy Spirit Catholic. Details regarding the phone call are not available. 

Rochester Police Confirm All Rochester Catholic School Buildings Are Safe, Early Dismissal Implemented

RCS officials also sent families early dismissal times for the other buildings. The schedule is listed below:

   Lourdes High School: 11:30 a.m.

   Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School: 11:00 a.m.

   St. Francis of Assisi School: 10:30 a.m.

   St. Pius X School: 11:30 a.m.

RCS officials say emergency responders have confirmed that all RCS buildings are safe and say the system-wide early release is out of an "abundance of caution" and "following the guidance of law enforcement."

"We are continuing to work closely with local authorities who will be present to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal process," the email says.

The Rochester Public School District (RPS) also sent an email to families of its students, informing them of Holy Spirit Catholic students being evacuated to Gibbs Elementary due to a threat made to the private elementary.

RPS says Rochester Police have responded to Holy Spirit Catholic and determined there is not threat in the building.

"We have received no threats to Rochester Public Schools facilities and confirmed that the Rochester Police Department has also not received any threats to RPS facilities. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide additional updates if developments occur," the RPS email says.