Social media lit up after parents with students in Cochrane High School were sent an email yesterday (May 9) about a threat being made toward the school today (May 10).

The communication emailed out stated that after working alongside Cochrane RCMP, that it would be 'business, as usual, today', but that the school population would see an increase of RCMP members on site.

Cochrane RCMP, Sergeant Tom Kalis says they received a call yesterday (May 9) regarding an unspecified threat that was to be enacted this morning at the high school. "We did some preliminary investigation into it yesterday and don't feel that there is an imminent threat to any staff or students, but we are taking precautionary measures to ensure everyone is safe."

Kelli Willisko a parent with students in the school, says she finds the situation concerning as to how the news of the threat was communicated out to the school and parent population. "I wish the information would have come sooner than the email I got after ten o'clock at night last night. I don't think that is adequate sharing of information from the school's side if whatever happened, took place during the day yesterday. I think ultimately, the school did not share enough information for the parents to make an informed decision for themselves."

Angela Spanier, Director Of Communications for Rocky View Schools says in all cases when a threat is issued toward a school; their protocol is to work with local law enforcement to ensure a safe learning environment for all. "The RCMP will be present at Cochrane High today, and they believe classes will resume as normal."

Willisko, along with other parents on social media, wasn't feeling all that confident especially following on the heels of news of recent school shootings in Colorado and Georgia on Tuesday night (May 7). "There isn't anything my daughters can't do online and we're coming to the end of the term anyway; so I am okay with them staying home."

With an increase of RCMP members on site, Spanier, says the message they want to convey to families, is that they take cases like this seriously. "We take every threat very seriously, and we will do a full investigation. Our learning environments are safe places, and I believe classes will resume as normal today. The one key message here is that we need our parents' support in talking to their students about the inappropriateness of this behaviour."

The other concern Willisko stated was the lack of information sent to parents of two neighbouring schools, Manachaban Middle School and Elizabeth Barrett.

Sgt. Kalis says at this time no charges are pending in the investigation and their first order of business is to chat with the student that found the messaging to begin with. "We need people to be aware that we treat these threats seriously and we will enact plans to ensure people's safety. It usually ends up that 90% of the time it ends up being nothing but certainly, if there is a legitimate threat we encourage people to not only discuss it on social media but to get in touch with the police to make sure we are aware and can follow up in a timely fashion."