Catholic high school in Kemptville remains closed after threat

A high school in Kemptville remained closed for the fourth straight day of school Tuesday as Ontario Provincial Police investigated a suspected threat to public safety.

An email to parents and guardians of students at St. Michael Catholic High School of the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario said there is no further information that can be shared while the police investigation continues.

The email on Monday evening said the school would be closed on Tuesday. A corresponding update is expected to be sent by email on Tuesday evening.

“We will continue to support students online so they can stay connected to their learning and community,” the email said. “We will also provide support to any students who may need help with their wellbeing.”

An Ontario Provincial Police spokesperson said the Grenville OPP and OPP Crime Unit continue to investigate threats against St. Michael Catholic High School.

“We understand the stress and concern these incidents have caused students, parents, school staff and everyone in the community,” media spokesman Bill Dickson said via email. “We remain committed to identifying the person(s) responsible and holding them accountable. We cannot speculate on a connection between the two most recent incidents and one in mid-September, but this is part of the ongoing investigation.”

In a previous incident on Sept. 13, St. Michael Catholic High School was placed on temporary lockdown after an anonymous threat was left on voicemail overnight. The lockdown was lifted shortly after midday that day when police determined there was “no actual threat.”

More recently, all schools in Kemptville and Iroquois were closed last Thursday after threats were allegedly made against St. Michael and Seaway District High School in Iroquois, including threats from the Catholic board, the Upper Canada District School Board and two French-speaking boards.

On Friday, Catholic and Upper Canadian authorities said all other schools in Kemptville were open, but St. Michael remained closed as OPP investigated another threat. The The Catholic board said at the time it was taking precautionary measures and closing the school after being informed by Ontario Provincial Police “that they spoke directly to an anonymous individual who indicated this was happening at the start of the school day on Friday.” , October 4th, “will be an act of violence with weapons that would take place at St. Michael CHS.”

“The nature of these threats, their anonymity and their unpredictability require that we adhere to our emergency procedures and communications protocols to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” the board said.

With files from Postmedia

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