Minneapolis Schools: Lockdown Day 2

MINNEAPOLIS - Minneapolis public school parents had a decision to make this morning -- whether or not to send their children to schools that are under code yellow lockdown again Thursday.

It's all because of an electronic threat that came from Australia. Information travels quickly, and Minneapolis school officials quickly decided to keep all of its buildings doors locked again and have additional police presence Thursday to make sure everybody feels safe.

Police are continuing their investigation but they say yesterday's threat to shoot-up a school came from a juvenile in Australia and was sent to the city's 311 information center. Officials locked down all 91 schools because the threat didn't specify a particular building.

Under a code yellow lockdown, school instruction continues as usual, but students remain in their classrooms and outside access to the school is limited. School staff members are asked to check the identification of anyone coming to school grounds.

"This code yellow lockdown continues security protocols put in place on the morning of March 10 after MPS received a tip from local law enforcement regarding a threat made toward a Minneapolis Public School through two social networking sites," MPS spokeswoman Emily Lowther said in a statement. "Staff members and families reported that students were calm and comfortable throughout the day yesterday and continued classes without distraction. We are pleased with the effective response of our school and district crisis team members, and we are thankful for our strong partnership with the Minneapolis Police Department."

Investigators took Wednesday's threat so seriously because the Facebook page of the suspect showed pictures of the suspect posing with weapons.

Some parents complained that they didn't know what was happening, but the district says its automated system made over 200,000 calls to the families of its 34,000 students. Security experts say the best way for schools to show they're safe is keep kids in the classroom.

Investigators say the same e-mailer threatened Cretin-Derham Hall in St. Paul. They went into lockdown as well, and will continue extra security Thursday.

St. Paul Public Schools did not received threats and were not on lockdown Wednesday.