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Faculty and students at Georgie D. Tyler Middle School were evacuated earlier today, Oct. 18, after a bomb threat was called in at at approximately 11:30 to 11:45 a.m.

Lynn Briggs, spokeswoman of the Isle of Wight school system, said GTMS Principal Jessica Harding told her the message was, “There is a bomb in the back [of the school].”

“We notified law enforcement (Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office) and they advised evacuating the building,” said Briggs.

Because it was not known how long before the sweep for any bomb(s) would be completed, everyone was sent to Windsor High School. Briggs noted that the school is close by and students use the same bus as the high schoolers. The seventh graders got their lunch, which had been interrupted by the call.

Parents have been notified of the situation, and they can pick up their children at WHS. They will also be alerted when the all-clear signal is given so that students’ possessions at the middle school can be retrieved.