Parents Rally for Safety After School Threats Unaddressed

Parents in Pickering, Ontario, have expressed significant concern regarding the handling of recent threats at William Dunbar Public School, particularly after a lockdown was enforced on January 27, 2023. Following a threatening phone call, the school was placed under lockdown, prompting parents to question the effectiveness of the school’s communication and safety protocols.

According to the Durham District School Board, the school responded swiftly to the threat, collaborating closely with the Durham Regional Police Service (DRPS). In an official statement, the board stated, “With respect to the recent hold and secure, the school acted immediately in response to a threatening phone call.” After police secured the area, the lockdown was downgraded to a hold and secure.

Despite the board’s assurances, many parents reported that students, some as young as six, were left unsupervised in classrooms during this critical period. The lack of timely communication from the school regarding the unfolding situation has raised alarms for families. In response to their concerns, parents gathered for a rally outside the school on Monday morning.

“We are here today because we are concerned. We are concerned about children,” said parent Sam Snyders. “Every day we send our children off to school and we trust that they are safe. But when that sense of safety is shaken not once, but multiple times, then as families, we have to speak out.”

A group of parents issued a statement highlighting that the “delayed, inconsistent, and inaccurate information,” combined with insufficient supervision, has “undermined parental confidence” in the school’s ability to ensure student safety during emergencies. Snyders emphasized the need for parents to have a role in discussions that impact their children’s safety and wellbeing.

Another parent, Theresa Sittaro, described a distressing experience where her son and his Grade 4 classmates were forced to remain under their desks for two hours. “I still feel like there is not enough being done to feel like my kids are safe to send them back to school,” she explained. “I have not sent them back to school since the incident on the 27th. My kids have a lot of anxiety.”

Sittaro mentioned that this incident was the third such occurrence reported at the school. She expressed doubts about the communication regarding all three incidents, stating, “I’ve heard that a couple of Grade 2 classes were left unsupervised during that two hours, which is very scary.”

The Durham District School Board reiterated that the investigation into the January 27 incident, conducted by the police, concluded there was no ongoing risk to public safety. “Throughout the day, DDSB followed police guidance and communicated with families at multiple points,” the board’s statement outlined. It acknowledged the feedback from families and staff about the experience of the procedures during the incident.

In light of the parents’ concerns, the board stated that it is working with school administration and staff to review the incident and reinforce emergency procedures. Additional support and training will be implemented to enhance “clarity and consistency” in future responses.

“We know that many families are frustrated by the level of detail that has been shared, and we understand why,” the board continued. “When situations involve police-led investigations, there are limits to what the school and Board can communicate while that work is ongoing. That said, we remain committed to sharing as much verified information as we can, as soon as we are able, and to communicate with families as this situation evolves.”

As the community navigates these unsettling events, the parents’ rally underscores a growing demand for improved communication and safety protocols within local schools. Their collective voice highlights the critical need for transparency and collaboration to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children in educational environments.