WAYNESBORO, VA (Rocktown Now) — UPDATE 10:48AM: Sheriff Donald Smith says at this time, all students, teachers, and staff have been safely evacuated from Westwood Elementary School and are at a designated staging area with law enforcement.

He adds that law enforcement personnel are actively working the scene and conducting a thorough clearance of the school. The reunification process, through which students will be released to their parents or authorized guardians, will begin as soon as it is safe and logistically possible. Additional instructions and information regarding the reunification process will be released as soon as it becomes available.

For the safety of students, families, school personnel, and first responders, Sheriff Smith asks the public to continue avoiding the immediate area until further notice.

The Waynesboro Police Department says they are managing an emergency at Westwood Hills Elementary School.

Police say the school division will conduct a reunification of students and families at Westminister Pressbyterian Church located at 1904 Mt. Vernon Street in Waynesboro. Families are staging in the lower fellowship hall. Please enter where the signs say “Entry.”

Augusta County Sheriff Donald Smith says “the incident at Westwood Elementary School in the City of Waynesboro is contained and secured at this time. The Children are safe and are being evacuated from the School. Please wait for notification and instruction from Waynesboro Public Schools. Please DO NOT respond to the school we need access for the buses and emergency vehicles.”

Augusta County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Leslie Snyder says schools are on a “secure” as a precaution.

This is a developing story.