Panic ran through the minds of many Cal High students last month when rumors of a possible bomb circulated on campus. 

The rumors of a potential attack started on March 9 at the San Ramon Skate Park after a group of students overheard two students talking about a bomb at Cal. 

These comments spread quickly through the student body. By midweek, talk and fear were on the rise, but nothing was confirmed by administrators.   

During sixth period on Thursday, March 12, Principal Mark Corti addressed students on the campus loudspeaker to reassure them that Cal was going to be on high alert for the rest of the week, and that students were not to panic. 

There was extra security on campus on Thursday and Friday, March 13 as a precaution, but the Contra Costa Times estimated that nearly one third of the 2,400 student body were absent on March 13, and many more left during the day. 

These absences cost the school more than $20,000, Corti said.

“It was ridiculous,” said freshmen Nicole Spinks. “Half the school wasn’t here and no one had their facts straight.” 

In an e-mail sent out to parents, Corti stated that, after an investigation aided by San Ramon police, it was determined that no evidence supported the rumors of an attack.

Corti later added that the students who were overheard at the skate park were discussing a video game that involved diffusing bombs at a high school. 

According to friends of the two sophomore boys, they were suspended for three days. Administrators would not confirm this, or release the age, grade or punishment of the boys.

“The students involved were punished according to there consequences,” said Corti.