Schenectady High School: Multiple Fights Erupt During First Full Week of Classes!
The first full week back at Schenectady High School has been anything but smooth. Multiple fights broke out on Tuesday, prompting city and school police officers to intervene. Despite the chaos, authorities report no injuries from the altercations.
Lieutenant Ryan Macherone provided some clarity on the situation, stating that officers detained one individual during the incident. “I don’t believe there were any injuries that had occurred in regards to the fights themselves,” Macherone said.
He also noted that the detained individual was not arrested but was released at the scene. The school district is now considering disciplinary action, but no charges have been filed against the student involved.
On Wednesday, three Schenectady High students spoke to NEWS10’s Anthony Krolikowski after school dismissal, sharing their experiences during the chaos. According to the students, the school implemented a hold-in-place during the fourth period due to the ongoing fights. The hold lasted about 30 minutes, but just five minutes after it ended, another hold was announced, adding to the confusion and fear among students.
Ian, one of the students, described the tense moments during the announcements. “A staff member was screaming on the announcements for us to run into a classroom,” Ian recalled. The sudden and frantic instructions left many students, including Ian’s classmate Caitlin Stuart, feeling anxious and scared.
“It really does make me think that something bad’s happening. If they’re panicked, I’m going to start panicking, and that’s what happened with other people in my class,” Caitlin shared.
The situation was equally nerve-wracking for parents. Meghan Wheeler, whose child is a 12th grader at Schenectady High, expressed her relief at receiving text messages from her child during the incidents. However, this communication was in direct violation of the school’s new cell phone policy, which requires students to keep their phones in designated receptacles during class hours.
Wheeler, like many other parents, voiced her disagreement with the policy. “I don’t, as a parent, consent to that policy. This may be the only way that someone can call for help,” Wheeler argued, highlighting the importance of students being able to communicate in emergencies. “I’m at that time hearing sirens; my student’s texting me from school.”
As rumors spread about the presence of weapons on campus, concerns grew among students and parents alike. However, according to the police, no weapons were found during their search. Amari Gross, another student at the school, expressed frustration over how the situation was handled.
“Even if there weren’t any weapons, I still don’t think it was okay for them to make it seem like everything was fine because it was not fine,” Amari stated, emphasizing the disconnect between the school’s response and the reality of the students’ experience.
The incidents have sparked a conversation about school safety, communication, and the policies in place to protect students during emergencies. Many parents and students are now questioning the effectiveness of the school’s current measures, especially in light of the panic and confusion that unfolded during the fights.
Schenectady High School’s administration has yet to release a detailed statement about the incidents or what steps will be taken to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Read More: A Teacher Was Arrested on Suspicion of Putting a 5-Year-Old Boy in A Headlock!
Tragic Discovery: Schenectady Man Found Dead on Appalachian Trail Sheriff Confirms Identity!
As students and staff try to move forward, the chaotic start to the school year has left a lingering sense of unease among those who were on campus during the fights. The hope is that lessons will be learned and that stronger safety protocols will be put in place to ensure a more secure environment for everyone at the school.