Threat empties Jasper Place school

Thousands of students from Jasper Place High School were sent to neighbouring schools when their school was evacuated as Edmonton police investigated a bomb threat on Wednesday.

Police were called to the school at 8950 163 St. after the 9:55 a.m. threat made by telephone message.

The school was evacuated in accordance with Edmonton Public School Board policy. Most students went to neighbouring high school St. Francis Xavier, while some students got in their vehicles and drove away.

Around 12:20 p.m., police concluded the on-site investigation and students flooded out of the neighbouring school and returned to class.

“Schools practise for situations like this, in the same way we practise fire drills,” wrote Edmonton Public Schools spokesman Brad Stromberg in an emailed statement. “Everyone responded in the way they have practised, and everyone is safe.”

A handful of students who arrived at school late Wednesday were surprised by the police presence. Several gathered across the street from the school and said they were a bit worried about what was happening.

Grade 11 students Keanna Bousaleh and Bianca Weber arrived after the school was evacuated.

“Nobody really knows what’s happening,” Bousaleh said.

Grade 12 student Martin Toth also arrived after the police began investigating. He said all the school’s doors were locked and that the hallways were empty.

“It is pretty scary,” Toth said.