School District 83 says an individual was arrested for threats made online towards students at Pleasant Valley Secondary School (PVSS).
On Mar. 9, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP were notified of the “concerning online behaviour that was being directed toward students” at the Armstrong school.
“Situations involving a potential threat to the safety of our schools are treated with the highest of priority,” said Vernon North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Const. Chris Terleski in a Mar. 11 release.
In a written Mar. 12 update on the situation, SD83 Superintendent Donna Kriger informed Falkland Elementary School parents “late this afternoon, RCMP communicated to the District that one person was arrested in the incident and released under strict conditions,” adding “due to the RCMP’s ongoing investigation, public inquiries should be directed to the RCMP.”
The Observer has contacted the RCMP, and will provide further information when it comes available.
A Shuswap resident and parent of Falkland and PVSS students told the Observer Wednesday morning, Mar. 11, that the threats came from another resident of the community. Later that day, Kriger issued a letter to parents stating police had been in contact with the “families of students identified,” and that school administration and district personnel “continue to work closely with the RCMP, and the situation continues to be actively monitored.”
“In addition to the involvement of the RCMP, the district is also working with Safer Schools Together (SST) as part of our established Threat Risk Assessment Protocol,” said Kriger. “Our school administrative teams are committed to working together to ensure that our schools remain safe and supportive environments for learning.”
Terleski confirmed police, SD83 and partner agencies were “working together through a structured risk assessment process.”
“As we continue our investigation, it’s important the community knows school and students are safe and are working closely in partnership with School District 83 to ensure their continued safety, ” said Terleski.
Kriger said as a “precautionary measure and out of an abundance caution,” the two schools implemented the following additional safety procedures:
- Increased supervision throughout the schools;
- All exterior doors at Falkland Elementary will remain locked during the school day;
- To allow for the transition of students between buildings on the PVSS campus, only the front entrance will remain open, with all other exterior doors secured.
“We understand situations like these are concerning, and we want to assure you that staff and student safety remain our highest priority,” wrote Kriger in her Mar. 12 update. “Tu support this sense of safety, we ask that the community rely on official infirmation rather than unsubstantiated rumours that appear to be circulating. This is also a good reminder for the community to report, not repost.”
Read more: RCMP investigating ‘threat-related behaviour’ involving students at Armstrong school