Elmbrook Middle School Threat Magnifies Parental Concerns

Behavior at Pilgrim Park has concerned some parents.

A threat over the past weekend against Pilgrim Park Middle School brought increased police presence at school today which continues all week. The threat was made on social media, which was reported and has since been deleted.

Parents of Pilgrim Park students have shared that prior to this threat, the school was recently communicating with them about many non-acceptable behaviors by students. These behaviors prompted the principal to deploy stricter rules. Concerns from parents include kids swearing and laughing at teachers, vaping, teachers screaming and other classroom chaos.

While parents recognize the age of middle schoolers brings certain challenges, this is the second known security threat in less than five months in Elmbrook.

As covered in a previous update, a lockdown/emergency hold occurred at Swanson Elementary on 11/21/22 which resulted in police coming to the elementary school. Swanson parents shared that it was based on a threat made by a student, and two special education staff members at Swanson resigned shortly thereafter. According to community members, this event was the last straw for them.

Swanson leadership sent a follow up the next day saying this incident was a “prank.”

Email regarding the Pilgrim Park incident shown below.

UPDATE: A concerned parent spoke out at the 4/11/23 Board meeting (at 40:22) about the planned attack at Pilgrim Park, the bullying, disrespect and out of control negative environment and lack of communication and transparency regarding student safety.