Shelburne high school shifts to remote learning amid 'racially motivated' incident
High school students with Centre Dufferin District High School (CDDHS) in Shelburne shifted to remote learning on Friday amid "recent tensions."
Heather Loney, with the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB), told CTV News a racially-charged fight broke out between students on school property on Monday and was "precipitated by the use of anti-Black racist language."
"There is no place for hate and racism at CDDHS," Principal Adam Rowden wrote in a message posted on the school's website following the incident.
Loney said staff received information about a "potential general threat involving our school" on Thursday, indicating it would be carried out on Friday.
"We immediately reported this to police, who began investigating."
The school's website noted the investigation had not "substantiated any potential threat."
Mayor Wade Mills issued a statement saying council is "troubled" by the recent reports from the high school.
Mills said the situation was being handled as an internal school matter with ongoing investigations.
"Regardless of what the investigations conclude, let us state unequivocally that there is no place for racism or violence of any kind in our schools. These institutions must be safe, inclusive and positive places for all students and staff, and we all have a part to play in ensuring that," the mayor added.
With Friday being the last instruction day for students, Loney said, "being aware of the emotional toll and concerns students have about the events of this past week, we made the decision to deliver classes remotely."
Next week, students will attend exams as scheduled.
"However, we have notified all families that should any student feel they need an extension or an alternate time to write their exams, they may make those arrangements," Loney added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 employees across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.