The Eastern Wayne Middle School employee donned a ski mask and toy gun, and pretended to be a robber. The school described the incident as “an enrichment lesson on exhibiting good citizenship and observing your surroundings.”

“Even though play-acting caused some initial concerns, once the skit was completed, the teachers quickly explained who the person was and that the theft was not real,” wrote the school’s principal, Catherine Fulcher, in a letter to parents.

Still, many parents called to voice their complaints that their children would purposely be led to believe that they were in danger.