Middle Gate Elementary School entered “lock-in” mode for about 45 minutes on Wednesday, October 22, while police investigated the circumstances surrounding the presence of an unidentified man who was spotted on the school grounds.

There were no injuries in the incident, police said.

Through their probe, police determined that situation amounted to “a misunderstanding,” said police Sergeant David Kullgren.

To explain what had occurred at the school, located on Cold Spring Road, School Superintendent Joseph Erardi, Jr, sent an e-mail to parents and school staffers Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Erardi wrote, in part, “Late this morning, at approximately 11:45 a.m., an unidentified male was seen standing in the Middle Gate Elementary School parking lot.

“When approached by staff, the adult male in question left abruptly from the parking lot, thus putting the school in a ‘lock-in closed’ setting,” Dr Erardi wrote.

“A lock-in closed protocol prohibits visitors from entering the building and also requires all students and staff to be inside the building. During a lock-in closed protocol, teaching and learning continues to take place at all times,” he explained.

“The Middle Gate Elementary School was in this emergency protocol for approximately 45 minutes until local safety officials [Newtown Police Department] stopped this person in his truck and spoke directly to the male in question,” the superintendent added.

“Administration lifted this additional layer of security after receiving clearance from the police department.  The male in question was actually on the school site as a potential contractor to remove trees,” Dr Erardi wrote.

“Mr Chris Geissler and his staff should be highly commended for keeping the safety and security of all students at the center of all decisionmaking. In addition, the Newtown Police Department should be highly commended for their swift and immediate response to resolving this issue,” Dr Erardi added.

Following 12/14, the school system developed a set of school security practices intended to protect students and staff.

On October 1, Sandy Hook Elementary School, which currently hold classes in a school building in Monroe, . The school was evacuated and students were dismissed early. No bomb was found. The bomb threat is under investigation by police.received a telephoned bomb threat