Classes at all schools in the Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lakeland school districts are canceled today due to continued rumors of a planned act of violence.

Today marks a week since the school massacre in Newtown, Conn.

School officials said the closure decisions were made due to continued concerns among students and parents, but not because of any specific new threat.

They said the combination of rumors that someone is planning to bring a gun to school and shoot people; today being the same day the Mayan calendar predicts the world will end; and today being the final school day before the holiday break were all considered.

"Even though the school district and local law enforcement have not isolated a credible threat to the rumors circulating about a possible school shooting (today), the district has decided, with advice from law enforcement, that the ability to have a productive and calm day of school has been compromised," a notice from the Coeur d'Alene School District states. "The depth and breadth of anxiety and fear has spread throughout the community, beyond the 17 school campuses of SD271.

"Student and staff safety is our district's No. 1 concern as we head into the holiday break. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause your family."

Coeur d'Alene spokeswoman Laura Rumpler said the district also recognizes that student-initiated rumors can be a tactic to avoid school, so today's cancellation will be made up on Feb. 15, previously identified as a no-school day.

Before- and after-school activities are also canceled for today in Coeur d'Alene.

"We've gotten a mixed bag of calls and concerns from parents (about the decision)," Rumpler said. "But with today being the last day before we go into winter break, our hope is that families can come together and talk. We hope the two-week break will calm things down and there will be a level of reassurance when we start back in school in the new year."

The Post Falls and Lakeland school districts, along with Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy, the Kootenai Technical Education Campus (KTEC) and the Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, followed suit with the cancellation decision.

"No real new threats, but the same threat recycled," Post Falls Superintendent Jerry Keane of the rumor situation. "It comes down to our ability to have a reasonable school day (today). The amount of angst is incredible not only from students, but parents as well."

Post Falls officials say the date will be made up on a date to be determined, while Lakeland officials say it depends on snow days and other factors on whether there'll be a makeup date.

Officials at those districts and schools said it's better safe than sorry, especially in light of Coeur d'Alene's decision.

"Although we are reluctant to cancel school because the rumors are unsubstantiated, we feel it is the most appropriate decision based on the overall concern and angst as a result of the school violence related to last week's tragic events in Connecticut," a statement on the Post Falls district's website states. "The ability for students to have a calm learning day in the district has been compromised by the anxiety that the rumors have created."

GAP, the Post Falls before- and after-school program, will be consolidated at Mullan Trail Elementary.

Tonight's Prairie Pig basketball games between Lakeland and Post Falls at Post Falls High have also been postponed. The games will be rescheduled and fans should keep their tickets.