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UPDATE: School Threats, Dec. 5 & 6

December 05, 2018

ALCDSB Burgundy logoCROPPED.pngDecember 10- Update from Kingston Police

Investigation Continuing into Threats against Local Schools 

The threats made to several local schools on December 5 and 6, 2018 has been investigated by the Kingston Police. They have been found to be unsubstantiated and no actual danger existed at any of the schools involved, however the threats caused a significant impact on school operations, students, staff and police. The Kingston Police is continuing to work with International law enforcement partners to investigate the person(s) responsible for these incidents.

Be assured that the Kingston Police will respond accordingly to any information obtained that concerns the safety of the schools, students and staff members.

Anyone with information, is asked to please contact Detective Paul Robb at 613-549-4660 ext. 6383 or via email at probb@kingstonpolice.ca.

You can also provide information anonymously by calling:

  • Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 and asking to be anonymous
  • Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)


December 6 - Letter from the Director of Education

Dear ALCDSB families,

As always, our priority remains the safety and well-being of all students and staff. I am writing to you today to provide an update on incidents across our community over the last two days.

A series of phone call threats have been made across Kingston and area. I am confident that each of our schools have followed procedure and all students and staff have remained safe for the entirety of the past two days.  

On December 6 at the end of the school day, Holy Name Catholic School initiated Lockdown after receiving a threat by phone call. Kingston Police cleared the school and the school moved into a Hold and Secure as a precaution until dismissal. 

On December 5, Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School, Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School and Mother Teresa Catholic School followed the same process. 

Kingston Police continue to investigate the threats made to schools. These threats have been similar in nature and no actual threat has been found at any school at this time. We will continue to receive updates from Kingston Police as they investigate further and will share with our school communities.

We appreciate the quick and diligent response by all staff and students during this challenging time. All schools affected have remained calm and ensured a safe learning environment for everyone.  If any staff or student requires support, please contact your school.

We recognize that these situations can be stressful but thank all those involved for your patience and understanding as we follow Threats to School Safety procedures.

We are a strong community and the safety and well-being of all students and staff will continue to be our top priority.

Sincerely,

 

Jody DiRocco

Director of Education


December 6 -Update from Kingston Police: 

Kingston police are actively investigating the threats made yesterday and today to some of our local schools. The threats have been similar in nature and no actual threat has been found at any school at this time.

Protocols for police and school response to these types of threats have been established for the safety of all students and staff in mind. Police will continue to work collaboratively with schools boards to ensure the continued safety of our schools.

Students and staff are reminded not to use electronic devices during a lockdown unless they have critical information for the police or emergency services (911 purposes).

Kingston Police is again reminding the public to refrain for interacting with any suspects via social media and potentially encouraging further criminal behaviour. Kingston Police is also asking that parents do not attend any school while it is in lockdown for the safety of staff and students while officers respond to incident. 

Anyone with information, is asked to please contact Kingston Police 613-549-4660.

You can also provide information anonymously by calling:

  • Kingston Police at 613-549-4660 and asking to be anonymous
  • Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)



December 5 - Letter from Jody DiRocco, Director of Education

Dear ALCDSB Families,

The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board always holds the safety and well-being of students and staff as our primary concern.

In response to today's incidents across our community, we want to ensure you that all students and staff remained safe throughout the day.

All schools involved followed our Caring and Safe Catholic Schools: Threat to School Safety procedures, as directed by Kingston Police. We thank all school staff for maintaining a calm and safe learning environment for our students.

Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School and Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School initiated "lockdown" after receiving a threat to school safety. Kingston Police conducted an investigation on both sites and after no immediate threat to the school, both schools moved into a hold and secure and remained in hold and secure until the dismissal.

Mother Teresa Catholic School also went into lockdown and later a hold and secure due to the school's proximity to Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School.

We thank our staff and students for responding as per our procedures.

We worked closely with Kingston Police throughout the day and we thank them for providing direction as we responded to this issue.

We recognize today was a stressful experience for all involved and we thank Kingston Police, parents/guardians, staff and students for your patience and understanding as we continued to follow procedures to ensure the safety of all students and staff.

In ALCDSB, the safety and well-being of our students and staff is our priority. We will receive updates as the Kingston Police investigation continues and will provide updates and direction to school communities as necessary tomorrow. We will implement our safe schools procedures as required to ensure student and staff safety and well-being.

Sincerely,

Jody DiRocco

Director of Education 

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