Suzanne Gammon
Tribune
Local authorities and school board officials are investigating after a cascading safety concern forced a lockout that then escalated into a full emergency lockdown at a high school in West Nipissing on Friday, September 2.
The incident disrupted classes for students at Northern Secondary School – operated by the Near North District School Board (NNDSB) – and École secondaire publique Nipissing Ouest (ESPNO), a French-language school managed by the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario (CSPNE). The two student bodies co-locate within the same physical building, with Northern now incorporating Grades 7 and 8 students formerly housed at neighbouring primary school White Woods.
According to official communications released by school administrators, the initial lockout on the Friday morning began as a precautionary measure after a concerning incident occurred outside the school and required police intervention. Acting under the direction of police, school principals enacted an initial protocol to secure the outer perimeter. This initial measure restricted external entries while maintaining interior classroom routines.
Shortly after police gave the clearance to lift the localized lockout, a separate, secondary safety concern immediately manifested. In response, the administration activated a full lockdown. Exterior doors remained bolted, internal lights were extinguished, and students and faculty took immediate shelter inside locked classrooms. The critical emergency status remained fully in place until law enforcement officials cleared the immediate safety threats on site.
Schools alerted parents through texts and social media. The CSPNE first shared that the school “is currently in lockdown due to an incident occurring outside the school” but also assured that “all students and staff are safe and following established procedures.” They asked parents “not to come to the school and not to contact the school by phone” during the emergency. Less than an hour later, the school notified families that the lockdown was lifted but that the school remained in a Hold and Secure confinement, where all students and staff stayed inside as classes continued but exterior doors were locked and no one could come inside. Parents were again advised not to attend or call, but assured that everyone inside was safe. “We continue to collaborate with police and will provide updates as available,” the school posted to its social media page.
An update followed less than half an hour after this, with the Hold and Secure order lifted and the school day ending as usual, with regular bus transportation continuing. Parents were informed that social services and mental health supports would be available on the following Monday for any students needing assistance.
At nearby White Woods Public School, a precautionary Shelter in Place was implemented during the situation, as their outdoor space abuts the high school property. “This procedure required all students and staff to remain inside the school while teaching and learning continued in classrooms,” school principal Marg McDiarmid communicated. “We are pleased to report that everyone at White Woods Public School remained safe and there was no impact on student learning or well-being.”
Digital chatter triggers concern, temporary online learning
While the school boards declined to elaborate on the specific nature of the threat due to the active police inquiry, local social media channels quickly filled with frantic community chatter. Rumours of threats or a planned riot circulated on local community groups, prompting concern and further precautionary measures by ESPNO, which moved to temporary online learning the following week before returning to regular operations after the Thanksgiving long weekend.
The NNDSB resumed regular classes immediately after the initial incident was controlled, but issued a statement regarding student conduct and school safety. “Our schools are places of learning, and we have high expectations for behaviour so all students can learn in a safe, respectful environment,” the board statement emphasized. “We will not tolerate behaviour that disrupts or takes away from the rights of others to learn.”
No further incidents transpired in the following days and both school boards are remaining mum on the exact nature of the incident as police continue to investigate. Anyone possessing relevant details or information regarding social media threats is encouraged to contact local police.