Hold and Secure ended for schools within Avondale, Royal Oaks neighbourhoods

UPDATE #2, Monday, November 30, 2020, 10:55 a.m. – The RCMP have lifted the Hold and Secure affecting schools in the Avondale and Royal Oaks neighbourhoods, including Harry Balfour School, Peace Wapiti Academy and the Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre. School life has returned to normal. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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UPDATE#1: Hold and Secure issued to all surrounding schools within Avondale, Royal Oaks neighbourhoods, including Harry Balfour School, Peace Wapiti Academy and the Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre

Monday, November 30, 2020, 9:22 a.m. – Peace Wapiti Public School Division has just been advised that the Hold and Secure notice issued for Harry Balfour School earlier this morning also includes Peace Wapiti Academy and the Peace Wapiti Enterprise Centre, due to RCMP activity in the Avondale and Royal Oaks neighbourhoods.

What is Hold and Secure?

• A response to an unrelated threat and/or incident in close proximity to the school, taking place OUTSIDE the school.
• School life continues as normal inside the school, however, the precautionary measure to lock school doors is taken to ensure staff and students are safe, and to reduce activity while officials conduct their work. 
• Access to and from the school is restricted and carefully monitored. The Hold and Secure is lifted when emergency personnel advise that the situation has ended.
• Examples: Nearby police activity, a threatening animal.

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Hold and Secure at Harry Balfour School while RCMP respond to a situation in the area

Grande Prairie, AB, Monday, November 30, 2020, 8:30 a.m. – Students and staff at Harry Balfour School are currently under Hold and Secure this morning while the RCMP respond to a situation in the area. Buses have been unloaded and all students and staff are safe inside the school. The RCMP will advise the Principal when the situation has ended.

What is Hold and Secure?

• A response to an unrelated threat and/or incident in close proximity to the school, taking place OUTSIDE the school.
• School life continues as normal inside the school, however, the precautionary measure to lock school doors is taken to ensure staff and students are safe, and to reduce activity while officials conduct their work. 
• Access to and from the school is restricted and carefully monitored. The Hold and Secure is lifted when emergency personnel advise that the situation has ended.
• Examples: Nearby police activity, a threatening animal.

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