Dozens of students at a high school in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, faced suspensions following a day of unrest and vandalism last Friday. The Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord (CSSRDN) suspended 78 students from École polyvalente Saint-Jérôme for the remainder of the week. Further disciplinary measures may be taken against the involved students, as mentioned by René Brisson, the CSSRDN director.
Brisson mentioned that during a lunch break, seventh and eighth-grade students engaged in disruptive behavior by running, throwing garbage cans, and congregating in groups, eventually triggering a fire alarm by the end of the day. Principal Nathalie Flamand condemned these actions in a letter to the parents of the high school’s 3,400 students, denouncing disorderly conduct, vandalism, and disruptive behavior.
To address the situation, the school suspended classes on Monday for an investigation to identify all students directly or indirectly involved. Enhanced security measures were implemented on Tuesday, including increased police presence and security officers within the school premises. Flamand assured parents of adjusted staff schedules to ensure heightened adult supervision during breaks and transitions.
Nancy Chartrand, a concerned parent near the school, mentioned discomfort with the heightened police presence on Tuesday, prompting her to pick up her children. She expressed worries about rumored repeat incidents and the need for caution.
Regarding possible connections to French school protests, Brisson noted social media calls for blockades among students, reminiscent of events in France, but emphasized the difficulty of establishing a direct link. He highlighted the spontaneity of the disturbances and the lack of specific demands or spokespersons associated with the events.
