It’s been a couple weeks since the recent fight, hold, and lockdown at Roseville Area High School. Discussions regarding safety are reigniting as students call for harsher policies while staff look into other factors affecting safety.
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 across multiple grades echoed this idea.
But what is the punishment these students are calling for? For 65% of 108 students surveyed across multiple classes- it’s suspension.
Staff at RAHS would like to see action as well, emphasizing the importance of a culture change around fighting and voyeurism amongst the students. During the altercations on April 8th many students flocked to watch and record the fights, which caused difficulties for staff to access the affected students.
Teacher Bret Hemmerlin said, “Students will have to fight against their curiosity and drive to be entertained [by fights]. 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 108 students reported watching fights or violence when it occurs. Students and staff who witnessed the large fight that sanctioned a hold a couple weeks ago will recall a large group of students present and watching the fight take place.
Fighting can still occur even with the change that staff would like to see, which is why it’s clear to students like Kaden Ellingson (11) that, “if there’s never any consequences, it’s going to keep happening, or get worse.”
Ellingson followed up and stated, “people who fight should be suspended and if it happens twice they should be expelled.”
Horsman agreed with Ellingson and mentioned, “whatever [the current punishment] is, it isn’t enough to disincentivize people to fight at school.”
Responses like these are not surprising as just 25% of 108 surveyed students reported feeling a “4” or “safe” on a safety scale 1-5. with a 1 being very safe, and 5 feeling unsafe. And-as Isiah Gehrz (9) put it-for some students, “there doesn’t seem to be enough prevention for fights or against weapons at RAHS.”
RAHS teacher Nash Lueken took a different angle- examining the role social media plays in igniting fights. 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.”
Hemmerlin summed up the main point staff is trying to get across. He said, “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.” In the eyes of the staff this includes things like: less shares on social media, following directions, and walking away from fights.
To support this shared responsibility, RAHS has a variety of safety measures currently in place throughout the school. According to RAHS principal Dr. Jen Wilson, “[students and staff] are required to practice five safety protocols each year. This includes holds, lockdowns, secure, etc.”
Additionally she said, “RAHS has posters [regarding the different safety protocol] hanging in every room throughout the building (so students and staff can see the difference, for example, between a hold and a lockdown).”
Further action is taken as needed. Wilson mentioned that staff is trained yearly and that the Roseville Police Department acts as support in certain situations at RAHS.
Ultimately, it will take cooperation between the students and staff to enhance safety at RAHS. Wilson offered hope to those currently concerned. She said, “we [the administration] are always happy to talk with [concerned students].”
