A Kemptville high school remains closed for a second day as Ontario Provincial Police investigate another alleged threat against the school.
In a letter to parents and guardians sent Thursday, the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario said it was taking precautionary measures at St. Michael’s Catholic High School after being advised by the OPP “that they spoke directly to an anonymous person who indicated that at the beginning of the school day on Friday, Oct. 4, there would be an act of violence involving weapons that would take place at St. Michael CHS.”
“The nature of these threats, their anonymity, and their unpredictability, require that we fall on our emergency procedures and communication protocols to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” the board added in a news release.
“Given this recent information we have received and the current threat at St. Michael CHS, we are closing the school for today.”
The OPP says it continues to investigate “another threat” against St. Michael Catholic School.
“We understand the stress and anxiety this causes for students, parents and school staff,” OPP said in a message. “We are working to track the phones used to make these threats, but that does take time.
“Public safety is paramount and, even if we suspect that it may be a swatting incident or a malicious prank, we must take all threats seriously. We appreciate the public’s patience as we conduct a thorough investigation into this matter.”
All schools in Kemptville were closed the previous day, Thursday, after an alleged threat.
On Friday, the Catholic District School Board and the Upper Canada District School Board said all other schools in Kemptville were open.