Area schools respond to additional safety threats

Limestone Learning Foundation
Area schools respond to additional safety threats
Posted on 12/06/2018
Image of school safety graphic

For the second day in a row, Limestone schools received telephone calls threatening harm to students and staff. Again, thanks to the quick work of school staff and Kingston Police, everyone in our buildings remained safe.

Today, Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute, then Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute and Module Vanier were placed in Lockdown as a precaution. The Limestone Education Centre, and some of our elementary schools adjacent to these secondary schools, were also placed in Hold & Secure as a precaution.

Police attended each of the schools involved and conducted thorough searches as per their protocols. The threats have been similar in nature and no actual threat has been found at any school at this time. Staff have been working with Kingston Police to help identify the individual or individuals responsible for these threats. 

The Board appreciates the quick and diligent work of school staff to maintain safety and calm during the events over the past two days. Please know staff are working full out to support students and colleagues, and conduct age-appropriate debriefs, and provide whatever supports for as long as is needed.

Although some events specific to today’s affected schools were cancelled, other extra-curricular and community use of schools’ events will go ahead this evening unless schools communicate otherwise.

Our first priority is to keep all students and staff safe. To help us do this, it is of utmost importance that students do not use cell phones during Lockdown or Hold & Secure events. We know that it is tempting to share information with parents or friends but it is critical that there is no cell phone use – no texting and no use of any social media. If students or staff (other than administration who are in contact with police and the Board) are on cell phones, they can clog up the airwaves which are needed for emergency communications, they can spread misinformation and panic, and they could be giving away information that might jeopardize safety and/or prevent the police from their investigation.

The Board takes all threats seriously and will continue to put the safety and well-being of our students and staff above all else. This may mean our communication is slow or vague as we work with police to ensure safety is maintained. We will communicate what we can, when we can.

For more information, please contact:
Karen Smith, Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 314 | 613-328-0947 mobile
Jane Douglas, Communications officer
Communications Officer
613-544-6925 x 311 | 613-328-0916 mobile

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.