Some of our senior students have a received a blanket text/instagram message warning them to stay home Friday (Oct 7) because “the clowns are gonna be there.”
The text has been linked to a weird hoax.
Creepy clown pranksters who have terrified kids and adults since the middle of summer in the southern states have moved north of the border, with reported sightings and threats from Nova Scotia to Alberta in recent days.
We believe there is no credible threat to students and that scary clown pranks are a growing trend.
That said, Avon Maitland and Transportation Services (HPSTS) staff will pay particular attention to potential scary clowns while following the safety protocols already in place.
Senior students are asked not to overreact and to talk to those who might be inclined to copy the clown threats and urge them to avoid becoming part of the problem
Parents are asked to reassure their children, if necessary, and to tell them to report any sightings of scary clowns.
Parents are asked to then notify the OPP.