Pentucket Regional High School

West Newbury Juvenile Arrested, Charged with Making Threats against Pentucket Regional High School via Social Media

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 781-752-9877

Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Juvenile Arrested, Charged with Making Threats against Pentucket Regional High School via Social Media

WEST NEWBURY — West Newbury Police Chief Jeffrey Durand, Merrimac Police Chief Eric M. Shears and Pentucket Regional School District Superintendent Justin Bartholomew report that, after a thorough investigation overnight into reports of threatening social media posts made in the past 24 hours, a suspect has been arrested and now faces a felony charge.

A JUVENILE MALE, AGE 15, OF WEST NEWBURY has been arrested and charged with Threat of Dangerous Items to Disrupt a School, Public Building, or Transport. (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 269, § 14, a felony)

Rumors started to circulate this week that this juvenile had made threats over social media, however no direct report was made, and no direct evidence of a threatening social media post was found by the West Newbury Police Department.

However, last evening, numerous students and school families in Merrimac and West Newbury came forward with information about new posts, allegedly made by the suspect, in which he makes threats to commit a violent act at the school. The suspect is a sophomore at Pentucket Regional High School. The police departments worked together throughout the night and, after an investigation and with the assistance of the Essex District Attorney’s Office, West Newbury Police today received and executed an arrest warrant.

The school district has worked cooperatively with the police departments throughout this incident. The school district has taken its own action against the suspect, consistent with its code of student conduct.

The police chiefs and Superintendent Bartholomew offer their praise for those who brought forward information leading to this arrest.

“Our community is our eyes and ears, and this case exemplifies the principle of ‘if you see something, say something,'” Chief Durand said. “In this situation, members our community were not willing to tolerate threats against their high school, and they came forward to police.”

No weapons were found during the arrest of the suspect. Police do not believe there is any active danger to the school community, however out of an abundance of caution, the West Newbury Police will have an increased police presence at the high school in on Wednesday. Wednesday is the first day of school for students since Nov. 8.

Anyone with further information should contact the West Newbury Police Department at 978-363-1212. Any family with questions or concerns may contact the police department or Superintendent Bartholomew’s office at 978-363-2280.

The suspect will face arraignment in Newburyport Juvenile Court.

Pentucket schools will operate on their normal schedules on Wednesday.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Class of 2019 Graduates from Pentucket Regional High School

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Pentucket Regional School District
Superintendent Justin Bartholomew
22 Main Street
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Friday, June 7, 2019

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Class of 2019 Graduates from Pentucket Regional High School

Local Groups Award $130,000 in Scholarships to Graduates

WEST NEWBURY — Superintendent Justin Bartholomew and Principal Jonathan Seymour are pleased to announce the graduation of 150 students from Pentucket Regional High School.

On Saturday, June 1, graduates from Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury were celebrated and received their diplomas during a ceremony on the field in front of Pentucket Regional High School.

The ceremony was lead by students, and featured musical performances by the Pentucket High Concert Band and Chorus. Valedictorian Allison Brookhart encouraged her classmates to continue to learn and grow in the next phases of their lives.

“As you look ahead to the next stage of your life, whatever it may be, I hope that when you doubt yourself, you realize why you should be confident in the person that you are,” Brookhart said. “I hope you have new experiences, and are adventurous. And when you do fail, because we all have failed and will continue to do so, I hope you are not ashamed. Instead, I hope that you are proud because the fact that you have failed means that you are still learning, growing and improving.”

Matthew Hersey, the class salutatorian, encouraged his peers to reflect on their achievements over the past four years.

“We have all spent the past 12 years of our lives working hard to realize the goals and aspirations we set for ourselves, and today we can celebrate all that we have achieved,” Hersey said. “Although we may have each had different expectations for our high school years, we can all celebrate the way we have shaped each other’s high school experiences and the accomplishments of this bright and dedicated group of students.”

Scholarships totaling $130,000 were awarded to seniors at the senior awards night and graduation ceremony by local businesses, organizations and groups, including the Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation.

“Congratulations to this hardworking, creative, bright group of young adults,” Superintendent Bartholomew said. “And thank you so much to the Pentucket community for awarding scholarships to these students as they embark on their next endeavors.”

Superintendent Bartholomew also praised the work of the Pentucket Regional Scholarship Foundation, the maintenance crew for the 2019 graduation ceremony, district teachers who participated in the ceremony and the parents that organized this year’s Senior Celebration.

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West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Respond After Pedestrian Struck

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West Newbury Police Department
Art Reed, Police Chief
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985
West Newbury Fire Department
Michael Dwyer, Fire Chief
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, May 15, 2017

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Police and Fire Departments Respond After Pedestrian Struck

WEST NEWBURY — Police Chief Art Reed and Fire Chief Michael Dwyer report that the West Newbury Police and Fire Departments responded to Pentucket Regional High School this afternoon after a student was struck by a vehicle.

At approximately 2:20 p.m., West Newbury Police and Fire were dispatched to Pentucket Regional High School, 24 Main St., for a report of a pedestrian being hit by a car. Upon arrival, first responders located a 15-year-old male who had been struck by a vehicle and had suffered a leg injury that is serious but not believed to be life-threatening.

The male was treated on scene and subsequently transported by Atlantic Ambulance to a nearby hospital. A Merrimac Fire Department ambulance also responded to the scene to provide support.

An on-scene investigation indicates that a Jeep SUV, driven by a female, was traveling east on Route 113, when it struck the student, who was crossing the road with two of his friends. No one else was injured.

“Thanks to the quick response of school personnel and first responders, this young man was able to receive quality care quickly,” Chief Reed said. “I’m grateful for the immediate support provided by those on scene, and am hopeful that he will make a speedy recovery.”

West Newbury Police are actively investigating the incident. The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash remained on scene and is cooperating with the investigation.

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West Newbury Police Offer Safety Reminders for Graduation Day

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WNPD patch copy

West Newbury Police Department
Art Reed, Chief of Police
401 Main St.
West Newbury, MA 01985

For Immediate Release

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Contact: John Guilfoil
Office: 978-769-5193
Email: [email protected]

West Newbury Police Offer Safety Reminders for Graduation Day

WEST NEWBURY– As students and parents prepare for end of the year festivities, Chief Art Reed and the West Newbury Police Department ask that all residents who are partaking in graduation related celebrations do so in a safe and responsible manner.

Graduation for the Pentucket Regional High School Class of 2016 will take place on Saturday, June 4 at 10 a.m. on the high school’s football field.

“These coming weeks should be a time of great celebration ” Chief Reed said. “Our students have worked hard to cross that stage and we commend their accomplishments. The department just asks that everyone be safe in the process. ”

Students, please remember:

  • To not feel pressured to drink or do drugs. The penalty for person under 21 years old who attempts to purchase alcohol, makes arrangements to buy alcohol, or uses a fake I.D. is a suspended license for 180 days and a $300 fine.
  • Never drink and drive. Do not get in a car with anyone who has been drinking or is under the influence of drugs.
  • Respect yourself and others. Know your boundaries and don’t hesitate to call 911 if you or someone you know is being abused.

Parents can help their students celebrate appropriately. West Newbury Police recommend that adults:

  • Know their teenagers’ plans. Find out where your child is going, who it’s with and what they’ll be doing. Make sure all parties are supervised and that you and the responsible adults share the same expectations about party behavior. Offer to drive your teenager to and from parties.
  • Set firm guidelines and expectations for post-ceremony celebrations. Establish a reasonable curfew and check-in periodically. Include consequences for breaking the rules in your discussion.
  •  If you’re hosting the party, provide non-alcoholic beverages and do not tolerate drugs on your property. Keep alcohol at home in a locked cabinet. Under the Social Host Law, parents are criminally and civilly liable if they allow underage drinking to occur in their homes.
  • Keep an eye out for youths bringing in backpacks or large purses, which could be used to conceal alcohol. Put guests’ belongings in a room and watch out for those who may be going into their bags to retrieve alcohol or drugs that could have slipped past you at the door.
  • Party crashers should be turned away, as the greater the number of guests at the your residence, the harder it will be to maintain a controlled environment.
  • At the same time, if an invited guest arrives intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, be prepared to call the person’s parents. Alert adults to your rules before the celebration so they are aware of the consequences if their teen becomes a problem.

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