The first threat came Monday, when Bryn Mawr went into lockdown and Gilman sheltered in place. A second phone threat on Thursday triggered another lockdown at Bryn Mawr, according to J. Donny Moses, a Baltimore Police Department spokesperson.

Parents Heather Crossley and Jennifer Nolley said the school acted quickly and communicated with families. Crossley, whose children are in kindergarten and fifth grade, said they felt somewhat uneasy. Nolley said her fifth- and eighth-graders remained calm during the lockdown, though she was frightened and still felt some anxiety about not knowing who called.

The incidents reflect a wider challenge for schools facing so-called swatting threats: protecting students and staff while limiting fear and disruption. The federal Education Department has warned schools about the threat tactic, which involves false reports intended to provoke an emergency response.

Bryn Mawr, located in the North Roland Park/Poplar Hill area near several other private schools, declined an interview request, citing the active police investigation and its focus on supporting students and faculty. Police have not identified a suspect or provided details about the investigation.