Mount Sentinel school in South Slocan was evacuated this afternoon after an unspecified safety threat.
Students were sent home early and this weekend’s graduation ceremonies have been postponed.
Superintendent Jeff Jones is asking students and parents to be extra vigilant at any grad parties.
There’s no word yet whether classes will resume on Monday.
Jones says he can’t share any details about the threat but police are involved.
The full text of his letter appears below, posted on the school’s website:
“Dear parents and guardians,
“We have been made aware of a serious threat to the safety of our students, staff, and school community. Working closely with local police and RCMP, we facilitated an emergency evacuation of our students this afternoon. We organized early bus transportation and students left the school at about 2:45 p.m.
“After extensive consultation with provincial violence threat risk assessment experts, our own trauma response team, the RCMP, Nelson police and Ministry of Children and Family Development, I have postponed all Mount Sentinel secondary school graduation ceremonies planned by the school and district. This includes all Friday and Saturday formal events and activities.
“We will be looking at a date in the future to host the ceremony and activities that the students rightly deserve. Knowing that a lot of preparation and excitement goes into graduation, we recognize this will be a great disappointment to students and families. However, we do ask that they respect the cancellation and not gather at the school.
“I am asking parents and guardians to be extra vigilant with regard to any grad activities, parties or events where students may congregate this weekend.
“The school will be in contact with you over the weekend to inform you regarding student attendance at the school next week.
“I am unable to share more information regarding the nature of the threat as the police are involved in an investigation. I assure you the nature of the threat warranted the action we have taken.
“Sincerely, Jeff Jones, Superintendent of Schools”