Rexton, N.B., middle school closed to reopen following online threats: officials

A New Brunswick school was closed for two days due to online threats.

A middle school in Rexton, N.B., will reopen Wednesday after online threats were allegedly made over the weekend.

Officials with Eleanor W. Graham Middle School and the Anglophone North School District have decided to reopen the school after closing it for a second day on Tuesday “out of an abundance of caution.”

“The school and District, based upon all information available to us, have determined that classes and activities will resume,” reads a message from Principal Shaun Fletcher to Eleanor W. Graham Middle School families.

“The closure of school the past two days was made out of an abundance of caution. At this time, there is no indication of any immediate risk.”

Regular schedules will resume Wednesday, but Fletcher reminded families they are able to keep their children at home if they wish.

“All decisions affecting schools were made with great care and with consideration of all information that was made available to us,” reads an email to CTV News from the Anglophone North School District.

“The safety of our students and staff is always a priority.”

Social media threats

In a news release, the New Brunswick RCMP says it received several reports about threats made to a school in Rexton through social media.

“On December 15, out of an abundance of caution, the school remained closed for the day while police carried out an investigation,” the release reads. “Police are continuing to investigate and would like to reassure the public that at this time, there are no known threats to other schools in the region, and that safety remains our top priority.”

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call police at 506-523-4611, or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or at www.crimenb.ca.

According to the school’s website, 219 students attend Eleanor W. Graham Middle School.

Concerned parents

Zoey Sock has a child at the school and is deeply concerned about it being closed for two days.

“I wish that there was a little bit more information shared with us, and I would like for them [students] to get back into school, but of course I want it to be safe. I want their investigation to be thorough,” said Sock.

Sock said she really doesn’t know what’s going on for certain, but wishes there were more details shared from the school and the district.

“I know more information just from word around the town than what I’ve gotten from the school,” said Sock.

Robyn Augustine has children at the nearby high school and elementary school. She and her husband decided to keep them home Tuesday just in case.

“There’s two other schools closely located to the middle school, which is Bonar Law and Rexton Elementary School. We also have two daycares that are located close to the school, so it is a big concern when one school gets shut down in a small area,” said Augustine.

Damien Levi is a Grade 10 student at Bonar Law which is roughly a kilometre away from Eleanor W. Graham Middle School.

“I was genuinely concerned because yesterday my mom had to make me stay home. It’s a walking distance from the high school,” said Levi. “My mom was scared.”

Levi thinks his school should have been closed too.

The RCMP release stated there are no known threats to the other schools in the area.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Derek Haggett and Sean Mott

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