Sage Creek Families,

The following is an update regarding our campus going into Secure Campus this morning. At approximately 9:00 am this morning, a water bottle containing a lithium battery, aluminum foil, and a liquid substance was discovered by one of our site administrators after a small but noticeable explosive sound came from the bottle. Campus staff immediately secured the device, and the Carlsbad Police Department and Carlsbad Fire Department were called to assist. 

Because the nature of the device was initially unknown, and staff was not aware if other such devices were on campus, the site was placed on Secure Campus while the first responders had an opportunity to sweep the entire site. Carlsbad Fire Department, in collaboration with other first responders, determined that the substance was benign and not a danger to staff and students. Per the Emergency Response Safety Protocol, students are now being released to a pre-swept staging area in the stadium so the entire campus may be swept. As has been confirmed with our first responders, we have no reason to believe there are other devices on or near campus, however, further sweeps are being conducted according to our Safety Protocol.

This appears to be related to the dangerous TikTok trend involving lithium batteries and foil, often dubbed "bottle bombs," which involves placing lithium from batteries, aluminum foil, and liquid inside a sealed water bottle to create an explosive reaction. 

Thank you for your understanding. We will keep you updated following the completion of the sweep of campus.

Sincerely,

Josh Way Ed.D