Full Breakdown
Mass Suspension of 78 Students After Unrest at Saint-Jérôme High School
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Unrest and Mass Suspension
At École polyvalente Saint-Jérôme in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, a day of disorder involving seventh- and eighth-grade students led to widespread vandalism, including the pulling of a fire alarm. The Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière-du-Nord (CSSRDN) responded by suspending 78 students for the remainder of the week and cancelling classes on the following Monday to investigate the incidents. The school serves approximately 3,400 students.
School and Authority Response
CSSRDN director René Brisson said the district will evaluate each student’s return based on the severity of their actions, the extent of involvement, and parental cooperation. He noted that while social-media chatter referenced French high-school protests, “it would be speculation” to link the two events, describing the unrest as “more spontaneous” with the primary intent to disrupt classes.
Principal Nathalie Flamand condemned the “disorderly conduct,” “acts of vandalism,” and “disruptive behaviour” in a letter to parents and announced heightened security measures, including a heavy police presence and additional security officers inside the building. She also indicated that staff schedules would be adjusted to increase adult supervision during breaks, transitions, and lunch.
Community Reaction
Nancy Chartrand, a parent interviewed by Radio-Canada, said she retrieved her children from school because the police presence made them uncomfortable and because rumors of a repeat incident prompted caution. She described the situation as “worrisome as a parent.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “Staff schedules will be adjusted to ensure maximum adult supervision during breaks, transitions and lunch,” — Nathalie Flamand, principal — Nathalie Flamand, principal