BluePoint alarm triggers lockdown at WCCHS

A BluePoint alarm was accidentally triggered at West Chicago Community High School on Sept. 24, prompting a brief lockdown that left many students shaken but was quickly confirmed by the district as a false alarm.

By Ja’Nyah Villa and Ruby Guerrero • September 24, 2025

Photo by Gabriella Castro

A BluePoint pull station like the ones located throughout WCCHS. The system was accidentally triggered on Sept. 24, prompting a brief lockdown.

(Este artículo también está disponible en español, aquí.)

At approximately 8:34 a.m. on Sept. 24, the BluePoint alarm system at West Chicago Community High School was activated, placing the building on lockdown.

According to a district email sent later that morning, the activation occurred when “a student accidentally [stepped] on the mobile device during a physical education class.”

The West Chicago Police Department was immediately notified and responded to the school. The lockdown ended at 8:47 a.m., and Executive Director of Operations and Safety, Dave Pater, announced over the intercom that it was safe to resume the normal schedule.

The district emphasized there was never a threat to students or staff. Counselors and social workers were made available for any students needing support.

Still, the experience was unsettling for many.

“I was really scared and anxious,” junior Allison Montalvo said.

In some classrooms, students barricaded doors with tables and chairs.

“I was scared out of my mind, we had to barricade the door,” junior Andre Dzwiniel said.

Jennifer Ward’s AP Language and Composition class quickly moved to the corner of the room away from the door, following the school’s A.L.I.C.E. safety training. Ward encouraged her students to stay calm.

“Take deep breaths and make sure you’re breathing slow when you exhale,” Ward said.

Some of the heightened anxiety came from recent national events, including the Sept. 11 school shooting in Lakewood, Colorado, and the assassination of Charlie Kirk earlier this month.

“I was really afraid that my friends and I would die. It was a big adrenaline rush,” sophomore Catherine Foos said.

The BluePoint system, which is also installed in portable binders carried by physical education teachers, initiates the A.L.I.C.E. protocol when triggered. The district reported that the alarm was pulled by accident during gym class.

“The safety of our students is our highest priority,” the district’s email said. “We are very proud of how our students and staff responded.”

Correction: a previous version of this article incorrectly identified Dave Pater as the principal of West Chicago Community High School; his title has been updated to reflect his position.

About the Contributors

Ja’Nyah Villa, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Ja’Nyah Villa is a senior in her fourth year of writing for the Chronicle! She started her journalism career during her freshman year, and her experience built up her credentials. She is one of five co-hosts for the Chronicle’s video news segment “What’s the word Wego?” Additionally, she is the co-editor-in-chief for the paper. Ja’Nyah hopes to pursue a career in book publishing or journalism. She is very driven and dedicated to her schoolwork and extracurricular activities. Outside of Journalism, Ja’Nyah is an active member of Wego Drama and serves on the leadership team as Senior Representative. There, she spends most of her time on stage and has even been part of a state-qualifying play. Aside from theater, Ja’Nyah is passionate about her music classes. She is a 3-year member of Wego’s Honors Acappella Chamber Choir, where she dedicates hours of her time to practice and go to gigs; She is also a member of the concert choir. Ja’Nyah’s hobbies include reading and listening to music. So far, she has read 8 books in 2025, and her favorite book is “Thunderhead,” by Neal Shusterman. She also enjoys listening to music (while she reads and otherwise)! Her top 5 artists on Spotify are Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, BoyWithUke, Conan Gray, and Lizzy McAlpine. Her favorite genres are pop, punk, rock, and musical theater!

Ruby Guerrero, News Editor

Ruby Guerrero Lopez is a junior at West Chicago Community High School and no stranger to journalism. Over her high school years, she’s had absolutely no idea what she wants to do after school. Right now, it’s to be a family attorney, but who knows, it could change by tomorrow. A piece she’s most proud of is her “More than grades” in-depth article. In her free time, she likes to say that she studies and works, which is mostly true, although sometimes you’ll catch her watching movies or TV shows over working any day. If you get her talking about Marvel or Harry Potter, you’ll probably never hear the end of it.

Gabriella Castro, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Gabriella Castro (well known as Gaby), follows up her Senior year with the Wildcat Chronicle as she chases deadlines like no tomorrow. A Best of SNO winner and part of the 2024 Pacemaker team, she loves writing, reading, and coloring… pretty much anything to pass the time, she is up for. From writing in cheap crayons to typing on a damaged Chromebook, Gaby has always known her passion flows through documenting. The Chronicle is a community she genuinely loves being a part of (even if it may not be physically noticeable) and hopes to help make a positive change in her final year. She loves getting her hands full with all sorts of hobbies ranging from boxing and running to music and books. Always trying to be positive and directive as she learns through high school. At first glance she may seem tired, crusty, and lazy – but perhaps a second look can help.

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