The second hold-and-secure this academic year was issued Monday at St. Joan of Arc (JOA) Catholic High School in south-end Barrie, but has since been lifted.
In a letter to parents, sent out today at 12:13 p.m., school officials advised that at approximately 11:15 a.m., staff were made aware of a threat, which they immediately reported to Barrie police.
Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board spokesperson Pauline Stevenson told BarrieToday the hold-and-secure is over and everyone is safe.
“A threat had come into the school and we immediately contacted Barrie police,” said Stevenson. “Police attended JOA and completed their investigation and found everything to be in the clear.”
Stevenson wouldn’t specify what the threat was, saying only that it was part of the police investigation.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday “the incident appeared to be isolated in nature” and wouldn't go into exact detail about the reason for the hold-and-secure.
“The important thing is it does not appear to be serious and everyone is OK,” said Leon.
This is the second hold-and-secure at the Mapleton Avenue school this year, following a similar incident on Sept. 23.
Stevenson said she was not aware of any connection between the two incidents.
“Our protocols are in place to make sure we take a ‘better to be cautious than not’ approach,” she said. “It sounds like everyone acted appropriately today and that is what we like to hear.”
During a hold-and-secure, activities continue inside the building, but all exterior doors are locked and no one is allowed to enter or exit the school.
