Today we are distributing an open letter from Superintendent David Garbutt to our parents and students.

You can read his letter here or in the attached PDF.

November 6, 2018

Open Letter to Parents and Students of Barrhead Composite High School (BCHS) and Barrhead Elementary School (BES)

This is a follow up to the letter you received on November 2, 2018. To recap, prior to school starting on November 2, 2018, the RCMP contacted the school to advise that a potential threat to safety had been made on social media naming Barrhead Composite High School. As an immediate precaution, students at both BCHS and BES were secured in areas within the schools and the RCMP were dispatched to the schools. Within a short period of time, the RCMP advised that the situation was under control and the additional security was lifted.

We have learned that a claim made about one of our students at Barrhead Composite High School was false. The student did not make a threat on social media directed towards the school.

The RCMP issued a media release to this effect which has been posted on the school websites.

The person who alleged there was a threat lives outside our school division. We have also learned that some people were aware of the allegations the evening of November 1, 2018, but did not inform the RCMP or the school division.

While in this instance there was no actual threat, we take potential dangers very seriously. Therefore, we ask everyone to immediately inform the appropriate authorities when you become aware of potential dangers directed towards our students or staff.

We wish to express our gratitude to the RCMP for their immediate response and the efforts they undertook to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

There have been inquiries as to why the buses were not diverted during the brief hold and secure. We were informed of the potential threat by the RCMP at approximately 8:10 a.m. and within about ten minutes, they advised us that the situation was under control. During this time, no buses were scheduled to arrive at the schools, so no buses needed to be diverted.

The school division is committed to working with the falsely accused student and the family to ensure that they may return to a safe and caring environment.

If you have any questions or wish to discuss further, please call me at 780-674-8507 or send me an email at David.Garbutt@phpschools.ca.

Sincerely,

David Garbutt
Superintendent of Schools