SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (WWLP) –  Police conducted an investigation at The Michael E. Smith Middle School in South Hadley Friday morning due to a bomb threat.

Interim Superintendent Mark McLaughlin told 22News a bomb threat was found written on the wall in the boy’s bathroom at around 8:15 a.m. School officials called the police and evacuated everyone to Mosier Elementary School across the street. The students will be dismissed on a half-day schedule.

Police Chief Jennifer Gundersen told 22News that officers were called to the school for a reported threat written on the wall. The school was deemed safe after a search by South Hadley officers, the South Hadley Fire District 2, and Massachusetts State Police explosive detection K9 teams.

This threat was the second one this week at the middle school, Chief Gundersen said. The police department is conducting an investigation.

The following statement was sent out to the school district from Interim Superintendent McLaughlin:

“Good Afternoon District, Families, Staff & Caregivers,

This is an update concerning today’s incident at MESM.  The middle school building has been cleared and is safe.  However, the May Madness Event’s have been cancelled for tonight. 

While I understand the desire amongst some families to know more details about the threat, we are unable to provide them at this time since this is an active and ongoing investigation and we must ensure the integrity of that process until it is brought to a proper close. 

Please be assured that we will do everything we can, in coordination with our public safety partners, to determine the source of these threats, and once determined, will consider a range of possible consequences in coordination with the South Hadley Police Department.

Since the school building was cleared earlier than anticipated, students may retrieve their belongings between 2pm and 4pm today.  Students will be allowed to enter the building in groups of 10 accompanied by school personnel to their lockers.

We ask that you park at the middle school or Mosier School and form a line at the main entrance of MESM where you will be greeted by school personnel.

I’d like to thank the teachers and staff at the middle school, Mosier Elementary, as well as many other administrative team members who worked so hard and effectively to ensure student safety.

Finally, a big thank you to our students who showed so much responsibility in the midst of a challenging experience.”

Dr. Mark McLaughlin, Interim Superintendent