At 1:30 p.m., the secure and teach at Wheaton North, Longfellow, Sandburg, Washington and Hawthorne was lifted as the Wheaton Police Department determined there was no threat to the schools or community. School dismissals will continue as usual today and all after school activities will continue as planned. As an added safety measure, the Wheaton Police Department will have an increased presence outside of Wheaton North today.

At approximately 9:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, Wheaton North was placed on a secure and teach and the Wheaton Police Department was dispatched to the school in response to an alleged threat of violence made by phone to 9-1-1 indicating an individual was coming to the school with weapons. Wheaton Police and numerous other law enforcement agencies immediately responded to the area to secure the building and conduct a systematic search of the school.

Out of an abundance of caution, nearby schools Longfellow, Sandburg, Washington and Hawthorne were also placed on a secure and teach due to their proximity to Wheaton North. 

At this time, Wheaton Police found no evidence of a threat to the safety of students or staff and are classifying this as a “swatting” incident, in which a false threat is called in to draw a large law enforcement response to a particular location. The Wheaton Police Department Investigations Unit will continue to actively investigate this incident.

CUSD 200, local law enforcement, and the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office take all threats to schools very seriously, and criminal charges will be pursued where appropriate. This type of false threat will not be tolerated in our community.

CUSD 200 and the Wheaton Police Department are committed to working together as partners to ensure the safety of all students and staff in our community. We appreciate the community’s patience and cooperation today as we responded to this situation.