The superintendent of the Kamloops-Thompson school district says student safety is their top commitment.

It’s in the wake of a report by Kamloops This Week, saying two students have been charged with plotting to attack staff and students at a local school.

They cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, because they are both minors.

In a letter to parents, Alison Sidow understands that some parents might be a little “uneasy” after reading the report in the paper.

“The RCMP spoke with both students and their families and have taken appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all students and staff at the school,” she said, in the letter.

“We have established protocols in place with community partners including the RCMP, and in this case, these protocols worked well to keep our schools safe.”

Sidow goes on to ask parents to have conversations with their kids about what they post to Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.

“These are the most common areas where the more private side of a youth’s life is manifested and publicized to their peers,” Sidow wrote.

She says every threat of violence to schools in the district is taken seriously.

 

Here’s her letter to parents in full:

Dear parents,

Nothing is more important than keeping our students and schools safe, and I understand some of you may be feeling a little uneasy after hearing about a recent event involving threats to a school.

Please be assured that the incident has been managed and our schools are safe.

Media are reporting the District has been working with Kamloops RCMP and other community partners after we learned two students had allegedly made threats regarding other students, school staff and administrators online. The RCMP spoke with both students and their families and have taken appropriate steps to ensure the safety of all students and staff at the school.

We have established protocols in place with community partners including the RCMP, and in this case, these protocols worked well to keep our schools safe.

While this incident is concerning, it is also an opportunity to have a conversation with your children about what is going on in social media and for you to become familiar with your child’s use of Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. These are the most common areas where the more private side of a youth’s life is manifested and publicized to their peers.

Questions that you could ask your children and youth:

1. “Did (______) Tweet about the …?”
2. “What are people saying on Twitter?”
3. “What are people posting on Snapchat?”
4. “What are people posting on their Snapchat Story?”
5. “Is anyone posting on Instagram?”
6. “What are you seeing on Instagram?”
7. “How are you feeling about what is being posted?
8. “Have you posted anything, or responded to any postings?

Every threat of violence in our schools is taken seriously. I encourage you to immediately report any concerns you have regarding school safety to your school principal or the RCMP.

For students who may be experiencing an acute emotional response to this incident, please reach out to your school. District staff are available to support or recommend a supporting agency.

We are committed to keeping our schools safe and the well-being of our students and staff is our highest priority.

Sincerely,

Alison Sidow
Superintendent