Bomb threats force four Hamilton schools to evacuate students and staff

Four Hamilton schools were evacuated today because of bomb threats. Students and staff exited two schools while two other schools were cleared to return to their buildings.

“We have been in contact with the affected schools and school staff have not located anything suspicious,” said Hamilton police spokesperson Jackie Penman in an email to hamilton.insauga.com on Monday, Sept. 25. “We will continue to investigate the origin of the bomb threats and lay the appropriate charges, where required.”

Police didn’t answer questions on whether the threats were sent by different people, or had any connection to each other.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board posted the information on its website Monday, Sept. 25. The school board declined to provide further details.

For the third time in recent days, Nora Frances Henderson Secondary School was evacuated again due to a bomb threat. The school board said students and staff exited the building. Hamilton police had shared a copy of the email Friday with hamilton.insauga.com containing the first bomb threat that railed against the education system, school and a controversial trans teacher. The first two threats against that east Hamilton Mountain school had “similarities,” according to police.

According to the school board, Saltfleet District High School also evacuated today due to a bomb threat. Students and staff were sent to evacuation sites. Students and staff from Mount Albion Elementary School and Highview Elementary School were cleared to reenter the building following the threat today (Sept. 25).

For the Mount Albion incident, the school board wrote that it was made aware of the threat after the school opened.

“The building was already being used as an evacuation site for Saltfleet District High School students and staff,” the school board wrote. “Hamilton Police Service was immediately contacted and arrived at the school. … A bomb threat is a type of Secure Schools response. More information will be communicated to families soon.”

The school board said any updates for the public may be posted online, and it will update students, families and staff directly.

“During active situations we are not able to offer interviews or comments at this time,” Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board wrote in an email to hamilton.insauga.com.  “The safety and well-being of our students and staff remains our top priority. We take every threat of violence against a school community seriously and have supports in place for student and staff well-being.”