Three Windsor educational institutions were placed under immediate security protocols Thursday morning as local police conducted what they described as an "active investigation" in the vicinity.
The affected schools included two Catholic elementary schools—St. Angela Catholic Elementary School and St. John Vianney Catholic Elementary School—along with St. Joseph's Catholic High School. The precautionary measures were implemented around 10:30 a.m., triggering alerts to parents and guardians through the school board's notification system.
Swift Response to Potential Threat
The Windsor Catholic District School Board moved quickly to implement "hold and secure" protocols, a safety measure that restricts movement in and out of buildings while allowing normal activities to continue inside. This differs from a lockdown, which involves additional security measures.
During the security protocol, students remained in their classrooms under teacher supervision while police conducted their investigation in the surrounding neighborhood. School officials emphasized that all students and staff were safe throughout the incident.
Communication with Parents
Parents received automated messages informing them of the situation and assuring them that their children were secure. The school board utilized its mass notification system to provide regular updates as the situation developed.
"We want to reassure parents that all students are safe and that we are following our standard safety protocols," said a spokesperson for the Windsor Catholic District School Board. "We appreciate the cooperation of our school community during this time."
Police Investigation Concludes
By early afternoon, Windsor police confirmed they had concluded their investigation and gave the all-clear for schools to resume normal operations. The hold and secure was lifted at approximately 1:30 p.m., allowing students to continue with their regular school day.
While police did not disclose specific details about the nature of their investigation, they confirmed there was no ongoing threat to public safety and thanked school officials for their cooperation in maintaining security during the operation.
The incident highlights the importance of established safety protocols in educational settings and the coordination between law enforcement and school administrations during potential emergency situations.
