Hopewell High School resumes classes on modified schedule after hoax

Less than 24 hours after a fake active shooter alert was called in at Hopewell High School, classes resumed for the school district. The school district operated on a two-hour delay Thursday, with the district giving the parents the option of sending their kids back in person or having them work from home. School personnel and staff were expected to return in person. Counselors and a number of police were at the school Thursday morning. A letter from the district superintendent Dr. Jeffery Beltz to area parents said the district felt that giving parents the option was the best thing for all involved. The letter read in part, "I have received a variety of emails making suggestions for what the remainder of the school week should look like for students, and I truly appreciate varying viewpoints. However, through this decision, the district is allowing families to select which option is best for their child. Some students need the structure and support that our buildings and staff provide, while other students may need to remain at home with support from families. It is with mutual respect to provide families with both options to select which is best for their family."Many students were dropped off Thursday morning to pick up their belongings that were left in class during yesterday's evacuation. The district says any items left inside of a classroom will remain within that same location for pick up when a student returns. Police responded to Hopewell Senior High School around 10:20 a.m. Wednesday after officials said the Aliquippa Police Department received a call that there was an active shooter inside of the building with six victims. The call was later determined to be a hoax. "I'm afraid every day to have my daughter go to school," Michelle Miller, whose daughter is a senior at Hopewell High School, said. "It's not funny to joke about this. I hope they catch the person or people involved."