School staff reports also put the man outside Peck School and Donahue School.
Updates a story posted Friday at 3:45 p.m.
HOLYOKE — Police responded to a report Friday of a man in a blue Hawaiian shirt trying to grab an 8-year-old girl outside Morgan School 596 Bridge St., though the girl was unhurt.
School staff reports also put the man outside Peck School, 1916 Northampton St., and Donahue School on Whiting Farms Road, Superintendent David L. Dupont said.
"We cancelled recesses and we cancelled after-school activities, and of course we've been in touch with the police," Dupont said.
Lt. Michael J. Higgins said police are investigating the morning incidents.
The incidents prompted the School Department to issue a mass message to homes via the Connect-ED phone system. The message said a stranger with questionable intent was seen on school property, police were called and appropriate actions were taken, though schools closed at regular times. The message didn't mention specific schools.
At Morgan, the report was that a man approached a girl from behind and put his hand on her.
"The girl was not harmed but she was scared," Dupont said.
A woman nearby screamed and the man fled, Higgins said.
"The woman who screamed is unknown to us because she took off, too," Higgins said.
Reports were that a man — variously described as tall, tan in complexion and wearing jeans and white sneakers, besides the blue Hawaiian shirt — walked up to a window at Donahue School, waved and ran, and was seen walking by Peck School, officials said.
