SAINT‑JEROME — The Centre de services scolaire de la Rivière‑du‑Nord (CSSRDN) has suspended 78 students from École polyvalente Saint‑Jérôme after a day of unrest last Friday that school officials say included acts of vandalism and the pulling of a fire alarm.
What happened at the school
According to the CSSRDN, the incidents began during the lunch break when a group of students in seventh and eighth grades engaged in disruptive conduct. School leadership described running in corridors, throwing garbage cans and massing in crowds during breaks. By the end of the day, the school's fire alarm had been pulled.
“We will evaluate their return [to class] based on the severity of their actions, the extent of the students’ involvement, and also the co‑operation of parents regarding their children’s actions,”
said René Brisson, director of the CSSRDN. The words were reported by Radio‑Canada and provided by the school board as it outlined next steps for disciplinary review.
In a letter to parents of the high school’s approximately 3,400 students on Friday, principal Nathalie Flamand condemned what she called incidents of “disorderly conduct,” “acts of vandalism” and “disruptive behaviour.”
Immediate response and security measures
Following the events, the school suspended classes on Monday to allow time for an internal investigation and to identify students who took part directly or indirectly. The CSSRDN said that pause in classes helped school staff complete the identification process.
When classes resumed, the school put in place enhanced safety measures. These included a heavy police presence outside the building and additional security officers inside. Staff schedules were adjusted so there would be increased adult supervision during breaks, transitions and the lunch period.
- Number of students suspended: 78
- School affected: École polyvalente Saint‑Jérôme
- Student population at school: about 3,400
- Grades reported involved: seventh and eighth
- Measures taken: classes suspended for one day, increased security presence, adjusted staff schedules
What officials say will happen next
The CSSRDN has warned that more disciplinary action could follow depending on each student's level of involvement and parental cooperation. Brisson indicated the board will consider the severity of actions and the extent of participation when evaluating students’ return to the classroom.
School officials did not release details on individual sanctions beyond the suspensions. Nor did they publicly identify the number of students directly responsible for vandalism versus those disciplined for associated or indirect behaviour.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Suspensions issued | 78 students |
| Student body | ~3,400 students at the school |
| Grades involved | Seventh and eighth grades reported as initiating the disturbance |
| School action | One‑day class suspension for investigation; increased security on return |
For parents and community members, the episode raises questions about supervision at peak times, the influence of group dynamics among younger secondary students, and how schools and boards balance discipline with students’ rights and return to learning.
The CSSRDN’s decision to pause classes to identify participants reflects an administrative approach that privileges thorough investigation before imposing longer‑term consequences. The board has signalled it will weigh parental cooperation as part of its evaluation — a reminder that school discipline in Quebec frequently involves family engagement as a component of the response.
At École polyvalente Saint‑Jérôme, the immediate priority for staff appears to be restoring safe, orderly conditions and ensuring that supervision is sufficient during the unstructured times when the incidents occurred.
No criminal charges were reported by the school board in the material provided, and the board has not released further details on the investigation or any follow‑up timeline for families awaiting decisions on students’ return to class.
Parents seeking information were addressed directly by the principal’s letter sent Friday, and the CSSRDN has been the public contact for updates on disciplinary outcomes and safety measures.
