The 2024-25 school year has hosted multiple holds, fights, and lockdowns at Roseville Area High School. Staff and students are speaking out regarding safety and ongoing issues.
There are a multitude of safety protocols currently in the RAHS building. According to RAHS principal Dr. Jen Wilson, “[students and staff] are required to practice five safety protocols each year. This includes holds, lockdowns, secures, etc.”
Additionally she said, “RAHS has posters [regarding the different safety protocols] hanging in every room throughout the building,” so students and staff can see the difference, for example, between a hold and a lockdown.
Wilson also mentioned that staff is trained yearly and that the Roseville Police Department acts as support in certain situations at RAHS.
Further action is taken as needed. Wilson stated that, “[the admin] have increased staffing after school to be near doors and where incidents may occur as students travel in and out of the building for their activities and sports.”
Despite the safety measures currently in place, students call for change. Natalie Horsman (12) expressed a need for, “…harsher punishment for those who fight.” Other students, like Kaden Ellingson (11) and Hazel Larson (9), echoed this idea.
But what is the punishment these students are calling for? For 65% of 108 students it’s suspension.
Ellingson went into details regarding suspension. He said, “People who fight should be suspended and if it happens twice they should be expelled.” Similarly he stated, “if there’s never any consequences, it’s gonna keep happening or get worse.”
Horsman is less sure on the details but mentioned, “whatever [the current punishment] is, it isn’t enough to disincentive people to fight at school.”
Responses like these are not surprising as only 25% of the surveyed students reported feeling a level 4 (“safe”) sense of safety on a scale from 1 to 5—1 being very safe, and 5 being very unsafe. As Isiah Gehrz (9) put it, for some students, “there doesn’t seem to be enough prevention for fights or against weapons at RAHS.”
Staff at RAHS would like to see change as well, emphasizing the importance of the student body.
RAHS teacher Bret Hemmerlin said, “Students will have to fight against their curiosity and drive to be entertained. While it is hard, it’s better if students do the right thing and walk away [from violence] so that people can help those in danger. It’s not easy but it’s right.”
Hemmerlin’s response is in line with the fact that 44% of surveyed students reported watching fights or violence when it occurs. Students and staff who witnessed the large fight that sanctioned the hold a couple weeks ago will recall a large group of students present and watching the fight take place.
Wilson expressed similar ideas to Hemmerlin. She said, “it takes all of us to support the safety and well being of everyone involved at RAHS.” And, “During an active incident, students should follow the adult direction at all times. Whether it is moving to a secure location or out of the way of the incident so staff can respond. Students can also help by not videoing the incident or supporting ‘shares’ of it on social media. It will take students, staff, and families to make RAHS a safer space.”
Aside from showing the violence, social media can also play a part in promoting it. RAHS teacher Nash Lueken went into specifics regarding this idea. He said, “Some students are using the school day to socialize and deal with online issues they have [from outside the school day] with other students instead of prioritizing the academics.” He also noted, “Everyone doesn’t need to be a straight ‘A’ student, but if we can get everyone to prioritize academics the school will be a safer place.”
For Hemmerlin and some staff at RAHS the idea is clear that, “If the student body is genuinely worried about health and safety, they will have to do better and accept their role in keeping the school safe.”
Ultimately, it will take cooperation between the students and staff to enhance safety at RAHS. Wilson offered hope to those currently concerned saying, “We [the administration] are always happy to talk with [concerned students].”
