Oakville high school threatened with violence over teacher yet again

An Oakville high school was threatened with gun and bomb violence yet again Thursday, though police have investigated and deemed the school to be safe.

In an email to CBC News, Const. Steve Elms said Oakville Trafalgar High School received a threat Thursday with "similar tones" to one it received the day before, which referred to a recent controversy at the school surrounding a teacher leading a shop class wearing what appear to be large prosthetic breasts. The threat was also allegedly aimed at school and board staff who support the teacher.

"Our officers attended Oakville Trafalgar High School and conducted a search," Elms said. "The school has been deemed safe at this time and remains open... The specific individuals named in the threat have also been spoken to and are safe."

Police say the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.

In a letter sent to parents Thursday signed by school principal Meredith Cammisuli and superintendent of education Jacqueline Newton, officials say classes continued as scheduled as per Halton police's recommendation, and at this time, the threats have not been deemed credible.

Police and school board staff are remaining at the school to ensure the safety of students and staff, the note reads.

"Our school continues to be the subject of significant attention. The threats received today, yesterday, and in September have been issued by people emailing threats with the intention of creating a feeling of unease and fear," the letter reads.

"We are also cognizant of the fact that these threats may be the result of copycatting, given the significant media attention. The unfortunate decision by individuals to deliberately harass and intimidate others is abuse and an erosion of personal safety and trust."

Another threat led to a brief lockdown at the school Wednesday, but those measures were lifted around 10 a.m. and students were later allowed to attend classes.

The school board has said it is treating the situation with the teacher as a "personnel matter" and that it recognizes the rights of students and staff alike to attend schools without discrimination.

"Gender identity and gender expression are protected grounds under the Ontario Human Rights Code," the board previously noted.