Oakville high school receives third threat of violence over teacher’s attire
Published November 21, 2022 at 5:27 pm
An Oakville high school — at the centre of controversy over the attire worn by a teacher — was threatened again over the weekend.
The latest threat was confirmed in a letter sent to students, their parents and school staff by Oakville Trafalgar High School principal Meredith Cammisuli who explained that another “threat of violence” had come to their attention.
“We want to assure you that the school is being monitored on a 24-hour basis to help ensure student and staff safety,” said the letter about the online threats they continue to receive. “Halton Regional Police Service (HRPS) have conducted a thorough search of the school, in accordance with the bomb threat protocol. Police have given the ‘all clear,’ confirming the school is safe at this time.”
It is the third such threat received at the school in a week over the provocative clothing worn by a teacher at the school and the Halton District School Board’s decision not to do anything about it.
Last Wednesday the school was placed in lockdown after a bomb threat was issued. Oakville Trafalgar eventually was deemed safe by police and opened back up the next day.
The email with the threat was shared with several media outlets by Halton police and contained a violent message regarding Oakville Trafalgar’s dress code and death threats to a pair of Halton District School Board staff members and the community of Oakville.
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The school received another emailed threat a day later, leading Halton police to once again complete another search of the building, which they would soon clear.
“The Halton District School Board (HDSB) and Halton police continue to work together to investigate these threats and keep our schools safe, supportive and inclusive spaces to learn and work,” the letter sent out to the school community read. “Our students and staff, and all of us, have the right to learn and work in a safe environment without fear.”
Transgender Oakville Trafalgar High School teacher Kayla Lemieux has sparked debate and protests outside the school over her oversized prosthetic breasts and revealing tight tops.
The Board voted in September to consider implementing a dress code to tone down the teacher’s revealing outfits, but has since backed off saying it can’t do anything about it.
“It is important to recognize the impact that dress code policies can have on members of the transgender community,” stated a recent Board report that recommended against a dress code. “Most notably, it is important for employers to make allowances to ensure that these employees are able to express themselves in accordance with their lived gender.”
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