This is really hitting close to home....

@patgalca (18181)
Orangeville, Ontario
October 30, 2007 10:11pm CST
My daughter came home from her Catholic high school today and said that there is a rumour that there will be a shooting at the school tomorrow. Tomorrow is Halloween and the students were allowed to wear costumes instead of uniforms and they were going to have a Halloween dance. Students of all grades were excited about it; they even decorated their lockers so it is doubtful that this possible event comes from within. Because of this the students have to wear their uniforms so they can be identified as actual students tomorrow. I called the police station in the area and they confirmed that they have received several calls on this incident and that the principal has also called the police. The police were at the school today. Bottom line: I am NOT sending my daughter to school tomorrow. There is no way I am going to spend my day worrying about her, or have her worrying about what may happen. Pray that this is a hoax and that nothing will come of it. Thanks.
3 people like this
8 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
31 Oct 07
Oh my goodness! I don't blame you one little bit for keeping your daughter away from the school tomorrow. I hope and pray that this is a Halloween Hoax by some kid to get tomorrow off school... just somebody playing a prank, but it does have to be taken very seriously when warnings are received like this. All too many times, it happens. You have my prayers for the other kids in the school, and your daughter's friends. Brightest Blessings and do have a Happy Halloween. x
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
31 Oct 07
I don't know why someone would want to get out of school when it is Halloween and they will be having a fun day. If they want to get out of a test, pull the fire alarm. Don't call in a false bomb threat. (No, I'm not recommending that but the alternative is a lot safer). I don't think it came from inside the school because it was to be a fun day, unless it was someone who is feeling left out.
2 people like this
@Darkwing (21583)
31 Oct 07
No, you could be right but then, one of them might be holding a grudge for some reason. However, as I said, it's not to be taken lightly, and I think you're doing the right thing keeping your daughter home. I would too. Was it a bomb threat, or a shooting threat? I know there are quite a few cases of mass shootings in schools... they happen here, as well, and usually carried out by a male who has had an unhappy uprbringing or school life. Not that I condone it... it's tragic. Brightest Blessings.
2 people like this
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
31 Oct 07
If this is a hoax... then it is a very cruel hoax... but then we can never be too careful on this matter since a lot of shooting in schools from all over the world already happened... I just wish that people won't be too irresponsible in making such a joke just to laugh about it afterwards... Things like this can really put us parents under a lot of stress...
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
31 Oct 07
A bomb threat was called into the court house in town a couple of weeks ago. The building was evacuated and although the building was deemed clear, everyone was sent home for the day. They ID'd the caller through voice identification and have arrested a woman. No reason was given as to why she did it.
2 people like this
• Canada
31 Oct 07
Oh my gosh I wouldn't be sending my kids either if that was the case at their school.I am surprised that even a rumor is going around most of the time there is no warning I hope they cancatch whoever whats to do this. So the kids can be safe after halloween as well.
1 person likes this
• Canada
31 Oct 07
Geesh I would have gone home too. That's pretty bad that kids have to feel scared at school. You are supposed to feels safe going to school. Things in the world are getting ridiculous nowadays.
@patgalca (18181)
• Orangeville, Ontario
31 Oct 07
Only 200 kids showed up at school today - out of thousands. There are 500 grade 9 students alone. There were more cops than kids at the school. The kids were told not to go near the windows and to duck. The source decided at that point he was going home.
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Oh my dear, yes indeed I will Pray that all is well in your daughters school today. It is so sad that our society has come to this. The fear that we all feel at even the hint of such an occurence when so many shootings have occured. I can and do understand your wanting to keep your child home and I am sure others have done the same. This may have been someones doing that did not agree with the idea of Halloween being observed in the school being it is Catholic. It is a shame that fear can be so easily used to manipulate others to what we want. I pray all is well with you and yours this day!
@BarBaraPrz (45511)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
31 Oct 07
Oh my! Let's hope it is nothing more than a hoax. You are doing the right thing keeping your daughter home Hallowe'en. Better safe than sorry. If nothing else, it'll keep your anxiety at bay.
1 person likes this
@Kegleneq (54)
• United States
31 Oct 07
I wouldn't doubt it's a hoax. I don't understand how there a those that find humor in literally scaring others. Fear and scaring on Halloween is a lot of fun but the fear should be in safe environments. Not for your actually life. Please people out there and stop being stupid. You are hurting everyone by preying on the fear of others.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Oct 07
To add there were threats of one kind or another. One place it was to little girls trying to not go to school for halloween. Do they realize the severity or was it a nonserious form of fun. What happens now?
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
1 Nov 07
I don't blame you at all for wanting to keep your children home, I wouldn't hesitate either. Rumor or no rumor I wouldn't risk it. That is sad that things like this happen and it makes you wonder what is going on with some of these kids that do these kind of acts, or stir rumors to scare others.
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
31 Oct 07
It is sad to hear that things have gotten so bad in schools. A school were I live actually just found a hit list made by three high school students today. The teens said it was just a joke, but rightfully it was taken seriously. In all honesty I probably would not send my child to school either. I could never live with myself if something were to happen. I hope that it is a hoax and things are worked out at the school, so that the children don't have to fear being there.