Ambiguous divisional email raises concerns of student safety at Niverville school

An ambiguous email from the Hanover School Division to parents of Niverville Elementary School students was sent last week addressing an incident regarding student safety at the school. But instead of explaining what had happened, the email created confusion and worry leading parents to look for answers on social media.

In the email to parents last Friday, the division stated it was addressing concerns circulating around the school community of “a recent student safety concern” at the school.

The email went on to inform parents that the division was taking the situation seriously and that, “out of an abundance of caution, we have added extra supports and precautions in the building.” Further, the division is aware that situations like this can “create worry for students, staff, and families.”

Ironically, while the email tried to address rumours and alleviate concerns, it only exacerbated them by its ambiguity in not explaining what happened to prompt the security measures.

The Carillon found two parents who posted HSD’s email onto the Niverville Community Group Facebook page asking for more information. Responses from community members to the posts showed concern about the lack of information in regards to what happened.

“Can someone please explain to me what’s going on? This is such a bizarre email! I’m concerned!” wrote Maria Nerea Stjernegaard, one of the two parents who had posted the email onto Niverville Community Group.

The Carillon interviewed Stjernegaard through Facebook Messenger where she wrote the email was “incredibly vague” when read by her and her husband, who after reading the email asked if he should pick up their eight-year-old daughter from NES.

“The unknown generates fear with a pound of anxiety,” she messaged. “I do comprehend that they need to respect the privacy of the students and families but tons of parents were seeking answers as well…It’s worse if you leave it to the reader’s imagination.”

In response to Stjernegaard’s post, Jared Smith called the letter “a typical bull s—t word salad” used when the division doesn’t want to address an issue, noting “And this is how rumors are started.”

Other users on Stjernegaard’s post suggested video surveillance equipment be installed in classrooms, while another suggested metal detectors be erected on school grounds for students to walk through as they enter the building.

Concern and confusion also showed itself on Tamara Wieler’s post about the incident on Niverville Community Group’s page and those commenting on her post, such as Lindsey Jennifer who wrote, “Very scary for everyone to receive such a vague email like this.”

The Carillon asked the division if its email to parents was too vague, to which a spokesperson replied that a second email had been sent soon after the first apologizing for causing alarm. The email also stated that the division couldn’t give much information due to student privacy.

Jennifer Davidson also commented on Wieler’s post that a Grade 4 student had threatened to bring a knife to the school.

When asked by The Carillon if the rumour that a Grade 4 student had threatened to, or had brought, a knife to NES was true, the division issued a written response.

“The school has communicated with parents regarding this matter. To protect student privacy, no further comment will be provided.”

The Carillon pressed the division further, citing a response from the RCMP to the newspaper claiming the Niverville detachment had no record of an incident involving a student and a weapon. HSD responded that “no weapon was brought to the school, and school administration determined the student did not make the alleged threat.”

“The situation was entirely the result of an unfounded rumour,” stated the email to The Carillon. This information was not included in the first or second email to parents from HSD.

The emailed statement further added that at no point did the situation require a lockdown or activation of emergency procedures. “Communication with parents was issued in response to concerns and misinformation circulating within the school community,” stated HSD.

When told that the incident that prompted the email was based on an unfounded rumour, Stjernegaard said in that case she is glad the school took the matter seriously.