Quakertown, Maple Shade high schools dismissed early due to threats

QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Students at two high schools in Bucks County and Burlington County were dismissed early Thursday after separate bomb threats, officials say.

Officials at the Quakertown Community High School say a threat was phone in around 9:35 a.m. Thursday.

The Senior High School and Freshman Center were evacuated and a decision was made for an early dismissal.

Quakertown Police Chief Scott McElree confirmed that six police dogs detected five potentially dangerous devices, but all were cleared.

School will be open Friday.

Meanwhile, the Maple Shade School District announced an early dismissal for students at Maple Shade High School and Ralph J Steinhauer Elementary School due to a bomb threat.

"The Maple Shade Board of Education Office received a threat this morning regarding a bomb on school grounds. The threat did not target a specific school," a notice on the district's website reads.

"The buildings and grounds were searched by the NJ State Police, the County Sheriff's office, and the Maple Shade Police Department. The bomb dogs were used in the searches. Nothing was found and the threat was determined to be unwarranted. Each building was cleared by police after an extensive search."

R.J. Steinhauer and Maple Shade High School students were dismissed after a four hour session.

The Maple Shade School District says normal activities will resume Friday.