HOYLOKE, MA (WGGB/WSHM) -- Two people tried to get into Holyoke High School North through a side door this week. Staff stopped them, but what happened next has school leaders more concerned than the incident itself.

School leaders are worried not about two people tried to get in through a side door as that was quickly resolved but, within hours, parents saw a very different story spreading on social media.

The incident happened earlier this week when two former students tried to get in through a side door. Staff stopped them and told them to use the front entrance if they needed access. They left without incident.

However, that’s not the story parents heard. On Facebook, one parent wrote, “Two armed men tried breaking into Holyoke High School this morning and they don’t tell the parents.” We reached out to Holyoke Police. They told “there were no weapons involved and the two left without incident.”

The school sent a letter to parents, which read, in part: “Several students did not tell a trusted adult at school as soon as they started hearing about this incident - and instead shared inaccurate information on social media.”

The school is now reinforcing a message with students: if you see hear or learn of anything potentially dangerous, tell a trusted adult at school immediately. Don’t post it on social media first. School leaders said that’s how authorities get accurate information and can respond effectively.

The full letter to school families appears below:

February 5, 2026

Dear HHS North families and staff,

Earlier today, a school staff member saw through a ground-floor window that two people were trying to gain entry into our school through a locked door. The staff member motioned to the two people to leave school grounds and then immediately notified our school resource officer so he could begin a police investigation. These two people did NOT gain entry into our school.

We are working closely with Holyoke Police as they investigate allegations that one or both people may have had a weapon in their possession. At this time, there is no confirmation of the presence of weapons on school grounds. Both people have been identified based on security camera images, and they will be interviewed by Holyoke Police as part of their investigation.

I commend our staff member for immediately notifying our school resource officer. However, we are aware that at least several students did not tell a trusted adult at school as soon as they started hearing about this incident—and instead shared inaccurate information on social media and through text messages and phone calls.

We are reinforcing with our students the steps they should take any time they hear, see, or learn of anything potentially dangerous: Tell a trusted adult at school immediately—before contacting family members or anyone else outside of the school building—and call 911 if you believe there is a risk of imminent danger. We are asking our family members to share this same guidance with your children.

Seconds count in a true emergency—and sharing unconfirmed information on social media or via text messages and phone calls can create panic and confusion, while helping to spread rumors that can hinder a police investigation.

I will provide an update if there is additional information to share. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the school office.

Thank you for partnering with us to help maintain a safe and secure school environment.

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