June 3 2019 – Message to St. Mary CSS community
(Click above for comment from school board to parents and guardians)
The Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board has commented further on the investigation regarding threats made at St. Mary Secondary School in Cobourg on June 3, 2019.
Galen Eagle who is communications manager for the board stated the threat was made via social media “targeting the school.”
Police were immediately called and the school went into a lockdown which is routinely practiced throughout the school year.
“A lockdown occurs when there is an internal threat or something surrounding the school that maybe a threat internally.”
“A lockdown means students and staff are finding a secure room, that is locked and there is no school activity during the lockdown. The primary focus is securing a safe place.”
Eagle said police completed a full sweep of the school both inside and outside the lockdown was lifted at approximately 10 a.m.
The principal was with police as they entered the classrooms.
“In any situation where we receive a threat we have to take that threat seriously.”
“Our main priority is always the safety and well being of our students,” said Eagle.
After the lockdown, Eagle said, “it’s business as usual” and the school was re-opened.
The school board has brought in it’s Emergency Response Team which has extra staff and workers including social workers for students who require support.
“As the students return home this evening if any parent notices their children are adversely affected or have strong emotions or may require additional social worker support to contact the school. That support will be available on a as needed basis.”
Breaking News – UPDATE – Lockdown At St. Mary School In Cobourg After Threats – Youth Charged