There will be police presence at Cochrane High School today after a threatening note was found on a bathroom stall at the school.
Angela Spanier, director of communications with Rocky View Schools, said the jurisdiction will not release the nature of the threat.
"We refrain from announcing the nature of most threats to avoid copy cat acts and heightening emotional alarm," she stated. "In cooperation with the RCMP, we will continue to investigate this incident today and believe our school continues to be a safe learning environment."
Parents received a letter yesterday informing them of the threat and that it had been reported to RCMP.
"We have been working with the local RCMP and they have determined we are able to operate business as usual," read the letter, which went on to emphasize Cochrane High School's commitment to safety.
Despite the assurances parents on social media have stated they will be keeping their children home today as a precaution. Some were on heightened alert considering the two school shootings in Colorado and Georgia on May 7.
"The key message here is that we need our parents to support us by reinforcing with their children the inappropriateness of such acts," stated Spanier.
Sgt. Tom Kalis, with Cochrane RCMP, confirmed there is a police presence at the school and officers are speaking with staff and students in regards to the graffiti that was discovered by a student .
He did emphasize that RCMP do not believe there is any imminent threat to staff or students, but RCMP has enacted a security plan for the school.
"We have armed constable at the school," said Kalis, adding that no suspects have been identified at this point. "precautionary measures are being undertaken to ensure everyone's safety."
If it is discovered who the person who made the treat is, Kalis said they could face criminal charges, which is normal in situations where there are threats to harm. However, he added depending on the age of the individual, it would be more likely the action would be more corrective in nature.
"Kids make mistakes," said Kalis.
