There has been multiple fights last year, around 100, and so far this year, there have been close to 30, and school has just started, Randall White, commissioner of the school district board in Rich Township, said. Ted Slowik is a columnist with the Daily Southtown. The violent attack continues for another few seconds before two adults run into the video frame and pull the attackers off Kuch. It shows Kuch walking down the hallway with her boyfriend as the kids recording the moment approach them going in the opposite direction. This is a contributing factor for the erosion of the climate in the buildings. It depends on the severity of the charges," Parlapanides said. ILLINOIS A teen was brutally attacked and jumped Friday night outside the football stadium at Rich Township High School in Richton Park, according to new video and reports. She is seen writhing on the ground, her hands holding either side of her head as a man stands over her. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling 988, call the National Suicide Prevention hotline at1-800-273-8255or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting Home to 741741 anytime. Rich Township High School District ; Fine Arts and Communications Campus 5000 Sauk Trail Richton Park, IL 60471 (708) 679-3000 . My kids never got jumped on in the city, she said. Three percent of an enrollment of 2,667 is 80 students. As school buses dropped Central students off at South, someone inside that school pulled a fire alarm, emptying the building, police and school officials said. The video shows the teen surrounded, hit several times in the head and face, who eventually shakes uncontrollably on the ground. Some 4000 graduating students attend Hunter College's 226th Commencement Ceremony, held at the Barclays Center, in the New York City borough of Brooklyn, NY, May 30, 2023. wisertree. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. No paywall. She demanded to know the districts Plan B protocol to protect employee safety. NBCUniversal Media, LLC Parents and educators are discussing the path forward after a disturbing video captured a massive brawl on the campus of Rich South High School during a football game. Here you'll find all collections you've created before. Leketa Dishman of Richton Park addresses the Rich Township High School District 227 Board Tuesday night. Instead, they witnessed more fighting. There are the pump jacks scattered across the plains, nodding up and down with metronomic regularity. More than 50 people attended two separate public school board meetings Tuesday night. That student's mother told NBC New York she had to send her daughter to an out-of-district school after her attackers were suspended for just 10 days. Had the school launched an investigation at that point, he says, he believes the videos could have been discovered and taken down earlier, potentially preserving his daughter the mortification he says cost her life. In a statement issued Monday, the Rich Township school district said Central students "were evacuated . Dozens of police officers from surrounding suburbs and Cook County rushed to the school. Ninety seven percent of our kids are doing exactly what weve asked them to do, Thomas said. They just remind us to remove them when class is over so we dont get in trouble in the halls. He also said the episode was important because too many of us do get killed when were wrongfully accused and falsely accused.. Friends and family of Bayville's Adriana Kuch, a freshman at Central Regional High School in Berkeley Township, prepared to honor her memory later Friday as fallout over video of the horrific attack, and how the school handled both the attack and the existence of the footage, continue to mount. They should have sent them home rather than bringing them here, knowing the circumstances and stuff. %privacy_policy%. As the school board meeting stretched into its third hour on Tuesday night, it seemed the only thing the combative school board could agree on was the need to hire an outside investigator to look into the decisions that led up to the fight. Tensions boiled over Tuesday night as dozens of Rich Township High School District 227 parents, teachers and taxpayers sought answers about fights in overcrowded schools, students unable to. Your email address will not be published. Rich Township High School District 20550 S. Cicero Avenue Matteson, Illinois 60443 P. (708) 679-5800 F. (708) 679-5733 www.rich227.org. The frustrated parent said she was appalled to hear the safety concerns expressed by the teachers union at the meeting. Still, Loves daughter Azariah said that fights are a regular occurrence, including one in the last week where she said that she was struck in the face by a laptop. The first communication on Monday more or less informed the school community of Kuch's passing, offered its heartfelt condolences to her family and friends and advised people of crisis counseling and other resources. Her son told her the bathrooms were locked at his school for safety reasons, Aloway said. Silence from local prosecutors in one New Jersey county remained deafening for one family, and many supporters, Friday, as they awaited news on whether criminal charges would be filed against students in a school bullying case that has drawn national headlines, largely for one overwhelming reason: The 14-year-old girl at its center is dead. They threatened to have me arrested if I stepped on the office grounds, said White. "We've always notified the police but we don't always press the charges. One parent said that that security at the school would rather make friends with the students instead of enforce rules. Parlapanides pinned the blame for much of the behavior seen on the video on an somewhat surprising target: pandemic schooling. This footage was filmed and produced 30 May 2023. Kids jumping on cars, fights and injuries. Because the pandemic forced remote learning during the entire 2020-2021 school year, Park Forest students have been transported to different schools in person for the first time in recent weeks. Yo, its because hes Black, one bystander says before the video ends. Rich Township District 227. WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports Rich Township High School District 227 board members held a special meeting Tuesday night to hire someone to explore what led to a brawl between. News 4 obtained the Central Regional High School fight video. The melee started when 1,400 students from Rich Central High School were bused to Rich . The 53-year-old was dying. "They decided to get up and walk around the whole school and they were jumping on everyone's cars," said Laronica Wilborn, student, Rich South High School. Before joining The Times in 2018 he covered politics for WNYC and The New York Observer. ZKye pushes his hand away. Johnnie Thomas defended the decision to consolidate the schools, saying that they were able to beef up security at both facilities and to actually cut the number of reported fights, contrary to statistics cited by the parents and other activists. That is what is causing the arguments and the fighting. The total number of incidences that weve had this school year went from 35 fights last year to nine this year, a 74% improvement, he said. The Lost Year: What the Pandemic Cost Teenagers Everything looks the same on either side of the Texas-New Mexico border in the great oil patch of the Permian Basin. The girl's father says if the district believes their actions satisfied policy, then the policy is woefully insufficient. One parent said that their 3 students have 2 different start and finish times, making it difficult to arrange for pick up, drop off, and other activities. "I'm for all the parents and all the community members to get up in arms, get angry, and get that fire in their belly to fight against the decisions and plans put in place that aren't working," one parent told the board. "The team came up with the concept that it would be best to move to other school's gymnasium," said Cheryl Coleman, board president, Rich Township District 227. Thomas said that the school district has zero tolerance for fights, and that his belief is that the transition back from remote learning during the COVID pandemic has caused more friction within school buildings. Its not fair to him at all that he has to tolerate this type of stuff.. We know there are adjustments we need to make to continue to refine this system.. "They wanted to fight a long time ago, they had the opportunity and they went for it and a lot of people got hurt," said Wilborn. The school board voted to close Rich East High School at the end of the 2019-2020 school year and shuttle students from Park Forest to school buildings in Olympia Fields and Richton Park. Sherrie Towery, president of the Rich Township High School Education Association union and a chemistry teacher, addresses the District 227 Board. The video shows the teen surrounded, hit several times in the head and face, who eventually shakes uncontrollably on the ground. All Rights Reserved. Overcrowding was another concern the parents addressed. These kids have too much time on their hands, Weaver said. "Absolute chaos, chaos, confusion, fear, violence," said Monica Purchase, parent, Rich Central High School. But at no time are students denied the opportunity to eat at all.. Im tired in our communities that we keep using our children of color as an excuse. Several parents said their children had no time to eat lunch because students were allowed a 20-minute break, and it often took at least that long to wait in line. It got so bad, police threw at least one student to the ground as they broke up the brawl. "They've seen things at home, domestic violence, things they shouldn't have been privy to, but unfortunately with COVID, they were," Parlapanides said. Several parents urged district officials to immediately change course, saying they cannot afford to go an entire school year or even a full semester with such unruly conditions. While authorities have not publicly connected the attack video post to Kuch's death, her father Michael has. At least 42 shot, 9 fatally, in Chicago weekend shootings: CPD, Missing man's body recovered at Iowa building collapse site, Migrant families move into SW Side college, Man drowns in north suburban lake: police, Bicyclist killed in north suburban hit-and-run ID'd, Natalee Holloway case suspect will likely be extradited to US soon, Man shot to death, another wounded in Streeterville: Chicago police, Woman's body found burning after heading to online purchase meetup, Highland Park Strong Half-Marathon honors shooting victims, Taylor Swift fans take over Soldier Field for 2nd night, Here's your Millennium Park summer events calendar, fights erupted when students from the two schools met, already putting together a new evacuation plan. Video of the Rich Township High School attack is now the subject of a police investigation. But when the police arrived and pulled them apart, one teenager, who is Black, was placed in handcuffs. It seems like no one wants to take accountability, parent Imani Aloway of Matteson told the board and administrators. The parents said that their concerns were expressed to administration, but have not been addressed. Gov. "For you to not be present for safety meetings and then grandstand today is irresponsible and unacceptable!" All Rights Reserved. One teacher with 19 years' experience at Rich. Rich Central mother Monica Purchase said the district needs a safer plan for evacuations. We've had no school days, so couldn't they send kids home 30 or 40 minutes early with a note, or with a call?" Tina Moore of Park Forest addresses the Rich Township High School District 227 Board during a public meeting at the district administration center in Matteson. He did file a police report. Required fields are marked *. (Ted Slowik / Daily Southtown) said David Morgan, member, Rich Township School Board. In the video, the white teenager, who is wearing a dark sweatshirt, jabs a finger near ZKyes face. They also say that the officials at the school have not been transparent about the issues. Rich South father Lorne Garrett questioned why Central students were not simply sent home, rather than bused to South, since the school was evacuated around 1 p.m. "We've had half-day schools. Fights and Violence at Rich Township High School Leave Parents Upset (Matteson, IL) Parents of students at Rich Township High School District 227 called for a press conference today in front of the district office after they say that the violence at the two high schools have not been addressed. Then they start shoving her, dragging her almost along the ground on her knees, raking her against the red school lockers, the white soles of her shoes the only part of her visible underneath her attackers at various points. "I want the entire world to know what these animals did to my daughter," Michael Kuch said. They cite gang violence as a part of the issue. Towery said the union was airing its concerns at a public meeting because it felt the administration implemented changes without input from teachers and ignored repeated requests to address urgent issues. "Even if the students from both schools did get along, and there was no kind of history of violence, the school is too small to hold all of those students at one time. When they let her go, she threw her laptop at me She said that the other student also charged at her. The press conference was held on the sidewalk instead. RICH TOWNSHIP, Ill. ( WGN) Parents and students of an Illinois high school are upset after the school distributed more than 600 graduation stoles to seniors with an unfortunate misspelling on . Anyone can read what you share. And now, a new mandate for her students: Learn to read or flunk the third grade. Ten students have now been charged in a fight at Rich South High School in south suburban Richton Park. He insisted he had nothing to do with the murder. The other one, who is white, was allowed to sit unrestrained on a couch. He then helps the bruised and bloodied girl up. Parent Jenny Weaver said she pulled her daughter out of Rich Township last week and will home-school her. Thats not a learning institution, thats a zoo now, and youre not doing anything to change that, parent Laketa Dishman of Richton Park told the school board. Most of my teachers dont care if we wear our hoodies, said the student. "It was just like 200 people running at you at once, it was really crazy," said a student who witnessed the fight. Rich Township High School District ; Fine Arts and Communications Campus 5000 Sauk Trail Richton Park, IL 60471 (708) 679-3000 . Suddenly, there's a quick movement from someone near the phone-holder and pink liquid sprays out of a cup, all over Kuch. In a letter to residents on Tuesday, the mayor of Bridgewater said that the townships police chief had asked the Somerset County Prosecutors Office to look into the matter. ILLINOIS A teen was brutally attacked and jumped Friday night outside the football stadium at Rich Township High School in Richton Park, according to new video and reports. Administrators said cafeteria capacity was restricted due to the pandemic but denied any student was unable to eat lunch. Funeral services for Adriana will be private. Kuch's family members were the ones who found her dead on Feb. 3. A student who was attacked at school last week spoke to cameras about the incident. Parents also say their kids are often confused as to where they need to be and when, are not learning effectively, and accuse the administration of trying to paint a rosy picture of what's going on. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. Driver charged in Brooklyn wrong-way crash that injured 5, Police: Man tried to kidnap child while mother ordered food, Citi Bike rider in critical condition after hit-and-run in Queens, Towers Climb tests participants' endurance in honor of 9/11 heroes, Moms-to-be, new moms get baby shower at Queens hospital, Celebrate Israel Parade marks city's solidarity with Jewish community, Drums Along the Hudson Festival celebrates Native American culture, Here's what to expect at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, Natalee Holloway case suspect will likely be extradited to US soon, Missing man's body recovered at Iowa building collapse site, ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream, massive brawl occurred between the students. Nobodys doing nothing.. The parents gathered in front of Rich Township High School District 227s Administration Office this afternoon to discuss their concerns with the news media. The cops said it was just protocol for a situation like that for them to put the kids in handcuffs, she said. The Ocean County prosecutor released a statement Friday, saying the office has discussed the matter with the superintendent in the morning and talked about ways to improve district response to incidents. A staff member was assaulted and has yet to learn of student consequences for the attack, she said. All rights reserved. The school outsources security to an outside firm. According to district officials, the unidentified student is currently recovering at home after the fracas. WARNING: Some may find this disturbing to watch. Then one girl grabs her by the hair. said Cheryl Coleman, president, Rich Township School Board. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Im ready to pull them out. @Azi Facebook. (Ted Slowik / Daily Southtown), This is unsettling for staff, she said. That's when trouble erupted. Her mother, Sunday Love said, She shouldnt be going to school to get hit in the face with a laptop. Her calls to the superintendent were left unanswered as of this press conference. Parents sounded angry and exasperated as they described what their teen children have told them about chaotic scenes in halls and unsupervised groups of youths assaulting students and adults. Parents and teachers said it was a disaster to implement the Flex-Mod schedule while resuming in-person classes after an 18-month break, and while cramming students from three high schools into two following the closure of Rich East. I feel like I let my kids down. The second letter (read it in full below) acknowledged some of the frustration behind Wednesday's demonstrations. White, who is also a commissioner for Park Forest Chicago Heights Elementary School District 163, said that his child often misses lunch because the lunch lines are too long. The district is now organized as a single school, Rich Township High School, with two campuses. Dismissal was early and a bit chaotic that day, and the district said it would not permit further rallies without prior administrative approval, citing its concern for the "health, safety and well-being for all students.". Leketa Dishman of Richton Park addresses the Rich Township High School District 227 Board Tuesday night. A Psychologist Explains Why, What You Can, Can't Bring Into Soldier Field For Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour' Chicago Shows, Protecting Her Cubs: Great-Grandmother Fights Back After Banks Refuse to Refund Money Stolen From Her Family. Several parents questioned the competence of Thomas, who is compensated $342,717 annually, according to an employee compensation report posted on the districts website. First published on October 9, 2013 / 9:44 AM. The chaos was hurting their childrens chances of getting admitted to college, not to mention ruining what should be memorable experiences of attending high school, they said. A student at the school said, One security guard at [Rich South] is kind of crazy. They're also going to recommend that an outside investigator be brought in to determine exactly what happened. We have had several scary incidents of fighting in the classrooms, Towery said. When they closed down Rich East, now you also consolidated the gangs from one school and you put them all together, Sunday Love, a parent of a student in the district, said. A video of the fight at a New Jersey mall circulated widely online. But students on Friday again walked out of class, voicing their displeasure with the school's response to the tragedy. Parents and activists who gathered Tuesday say that the fight is one of dozens that have been reported so far this year. Sherrie Towery, president of the Rich Township High School Education Association union and a chemistry teacher, addresses the District 227 Board. 5000 Sauk Trail, Richton Park IL 60471 | Phone: 708-679-3159 News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday, By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our. Copyright 2023 WABC-TV. BREAKING NEWS AccuTrack Radar Live View. Parents and educators are discussing the path forward after a disturbing video captured a massive brawl on the campus of Rich South High School during a football game Friday. Then the white teenager shoves ZKye in the chest with both hands. Schools . Jonathan Ettman, the lawyer for the family suing the school, said that video of the incident "immediately [went] up on social media to intimidate and harass the victim, in this case my client.". Were grasping at straws to solve the relationship between the pandemic, the Flex and consolidation and come out on the other side with success.. Full Story. (Ted Slowik / Daily Southtown). 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. On Monday, students from Rich Central were bused to rival Rich South High School. Schools . The older teenager tackles ZKye onto a couch. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Tina Moore of Park Forest addresses the Rich Township High School District 227 Board during a public meeting at the district administration center in Matteson. StringersHub 2h. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. What are we going to do to make sure the good teachers that we have here stay here because of the chaos?. Ten students were arrested after a massive fight broke out between rival schools following a bomb scare at a south suburban Chicago high school Monday. It started when 1,400 students from Rich Central High School were taken to Rich South because of a bomb scare. As for the administration: the superintendent and principal say they have added 15 additional security staff, have made counselors available, have extended cafeteria hours, and have imposed disciplinary measures to remove problem students from campus. "That's what you all should do is learn your role!" Two union vice presidents stood with her. WBBM Newsradio's Nancy Harty reports Rich Township High School District 227 board members held a special meeting Tuesday night to hire someone to explore what led to a brawl between students at Rich South and Rich Central high schools. she said. The excessive number of fights are having a detrimental impact on the academic setting, Towery said. A call to the school district by The Southland Journal was unanswered. They didn't want anyone talking about it," said senior Destiney Gilliland. hite, an elected board member of Park Forest-Chicago Heights Elementary District 163, said Thomas and Varn should do more to listen to concerns of community members instead of charging ahead with failed strategies. According to the 2020 Illinois Report Card, 86.5% of the districts 2,667 students are Black. The New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP is calling for the officers involved in the episode to be immediately removed from the force pending an investigation. My sons a senior. October 9, 2013 / 9:44 AM Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. "My son has been very uneasy about it, he was leery about coming back," said Tracy Douglas, parent, Rich South High School. Rich Township High School District 227's current plan calls for students at to be bused from one school to another. It happened when a bomb threat at Rich Central in Olympia Fields led school administrators to put 1,400 students on busses that transported them to their rival, Rich South High School. It was a routine scuffle that normally would have gotten little attention: two teenagers taking swings at each other in a New Jersey mall. Contains spam, fake content or potential malware, The Lost Year: What the Pandemic Cost Teenagers, by Alec MacGillis photography by Celeste Sloman, Conservationists See Rare Nature Sanctuaries. Now, new videos are surfacing of other bullying incidents at the high school. Mayor Matthew Moench of Bridgewater Township, which is about 30 miles north of Trenton, told residents in his letter that it was not appropriate for me or any other Township official to comment any further because an investigation was underway. Dishman said she regretted recently moving her family to the south suburbs from Chicago. Parents took turns speaking to cameras, expressing their concerns with the way the district has been handled since they consolidated the districts three high schools into two. VIDEO: Boy with Down syndrome attacked by students at Chicago high school, Lyft driver shot at and beaten in Woodlawn Chicago, 69-year-old man beaten and robbed in Uptown Chicago, Proviso West High School resource officer arrested following attack on student, VIDEO: CTA bus driver attacked, teen shot, two officers beaten in downtown Chicago, Video shows victim assault driver who ran her over in Chicago hit-and-run. ZKyes mother said her son was at the mall with friends around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday when the white teenager started harassing one of ZKyes friends, who is in the seventh grade. No one has answered the phone or the call button.. Theres no other way for me to say it, but this is crazy, Aloway said. 16-year old Student Azariah Love said, I was leaving out of class. "You got to be very careful when you take your personal vendetta and do things that effect our children!" The three classmates, backpacks swinging, fall over themselves a bit near the lockers, almost stepping on Kuch as she crawls around on the floor, trying to collect herself. At times students may be asked to wait to enter the cafeteria so that we may maintain capacity limits, Principal Larry Varn said. He says he believes bullying drove his daughter to suicide and eviscerated the school for not calling the cops after the attack, despite the fact he says Adriana blacked out. The district shut down what was known as Rich East High School in Park Forest, IL, and sent those students to the campuses known as Rich South in Richton Park, IL, and Rich Central in Olympia Fields. Kuch appeared to have been a loved student and community member. "Perhaps the solution is we have to restrict these kids from having their cellphones while in school, while they should be learning," Ettman told NBC New York. Frustrated parents and educators unloaded on school board members and Superintendent Johnnie Thomas in a brutal takedown. A neighbor shared video from last summer that shows her jump into a backyard pool to save a little girl who was seemingly drowning. Im tired of people misquoting Dr. Martin Luther King, white said. This comes after video surfaced of a fight at Friday night football game where a student was left unconscious. The appearance of what is racially disparate treatment, Gov. Taking her to the school nurse alone was insufficient, he says. "We all know it's not working, but you guys won't admit that it's not working.". The video ends as one officer picks ZKye off the ground and the other walks over to the white teenager and puts a hand on his chest as if to guide him back to the couch. ZKye stumbles back. "It was just a stampede of kids all coming this way and fights started this way," said Tracey Younger, parent, Rich Central High School. The footage wraps. The fight, which took place at the Bridgewater Commons mall on Saturday, was captured in a video that has been viewed more than 1.8 million times on Twitter. The Flex-Mod schedule is modeled after a college prep curriculum designed to give students more leeway to spend their time pursuing independent learning. Police say more students may be charged, and the school board president says it is reviewing that evacuation plan. The school district says the victim was taken to the hospital, treated for concussion symptoms and released. Prosecutors previously said that they were "aware of the incident" but couldn't comment further because the case involves juveniles. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Chicago Tribune. The Flex-Mod schedule was doomed to fail in large public schools with enrollments of more than 1,000 students in each building, she said. Dying on the Waitlist In early December, Miguel Fernandez lay unconscious in the intensive care unit at a Los Angeles area hospital. Several fake fire alarms have been pulled, and at least one teacher was assaulted trying to break up a fight. Thomas earns $28,559 per month, more than many District 227 families earn in a year. These kids are scared to come to school.. Please enter valid email address to continue. The school sent two letters home to parents about Adriana Kuch's death, one on Monday, the first school day after she took her life, and another one Wednesday, the same day hundreds of students voiced their outrage at the administration over Kuch's case by walking out of classrooms en masse - from the first bell to the last bell. "It was chaotic, the schools are not allowed to have night . Two days earlier, the hallway attack video was posted to social media. You will now receive daily digital updates directly in your inbox. "Unfortunately, however, the student activity began to interfere with the learning process as the day continued," the letter read. "It was chaotic, the schools are not allowed to have night football games against each other because of fights and violence," said Younger. said Purchase. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said at a news conference on Wednesday, is deeply, deeply disturbing., On Monday, the Bridgewater Police Department wrote on Facebook, We recognize that this video has made members of our community upset and are calling for an internal affairs investigation.. Board President Andrea Bonds read a statement at the conclusion of public comment. Youre acting like its working, and its not working.. Punches were thrown and fights erupted when students from the two schools met. Its literally all that I own. 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Two Teenagers Were Fighting. She was screaming at a kid for wearing a hoodie and had to be held back by another security guard. The school has banned hoodie sweatshirts from being worn due to concerns that students cannot be easily identified if the hood is up. Supt. The officers throw the white teenager toward the couch and one briefly stays with him as the other officer tackles ZKye to the floor and begins to handcuff him. We are committed to ensuring our students and staff are successful in the best educational environment possible.. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The office also suggested the district work on programming and services for the students. News 4 has obtained that footage (below). "She was like a daughter to me, she was at my house almost every day," that neighbor, Roxanne Gattuso, said. "I feel like they shouldn't have brought them. Fights and Violence at Rich Township High School Leave Parents Upset (Matteson, IL) Parents of students at Rich Township High School District 227 called for a press conference today in front of the district office after they say that the violence at the two high schools have not been addressed. Township officials also canceled a previously scheduled town hall meeting on Wednesday, citing the volume and nature of communications that have been received by our Township staff and Police Department, according to a letter posted on the townships website. Aloway said when she was a teen, she became familiar with the Flex-Mod schedule when she attended the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora. It just so happens my son was the only one with the handcuffs on.. on Kuch, who took her own life at her home 48 hours after video of the bullying, Borrowers Brace for Student Loan Bills to Resume $600 a Month, Where Is That Going to Come From? Driver charged in Brooklyn wrong-way crash that injured 5, Police: Man tried to kidnap child while mother ordered food, Citi Bike rider in critical condition after hit-and-run in Queens, Towers Climb tests participants' endurance in honor of 9/11 heroes, Moms-to-be, new moms get baby shower at Queens hospital, Celebrate Israel Parade marks city's solidarity with Jewish community, Drums Along the Hudson Festival celebrates Native American culture, Here's what to expect at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, Natalee Holloway case suspect will likely be extradited to US soon, Missing man's body recovered at Iowa building collapse site, ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream. Students call it crazy, but police call it a "major disturbance." Rich Township, like most other public school districts, resumed in-person classes in August for the first time since March 2020 due to the pandemic. The school district . "They can't behave and interact with each other in a professional way. Feb. 17, 2022. October 8, 2013 (RICHTON PARK, Ill.) It happened when a bomb threat at Rich Central in Olympia Fields led school administrators to put 1,400 students on busses that transported them to their. More punches are thrown. He said only 3% of the districts students were causing disciplinary problems. She declined further comment, citing the developing investigation. Please confirm you want to block this member. The fire alarm was pulled and a massive brawl occurred between the students. A video from 2022 shows a girl, with her arm in a sling because of a shoulder injury during a wrestling match, getting attacked. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. She described groups of students on campus with nowhere to go and nothing to do, and said in some cases only 20 minutes are allowed for lunch, when the lunch line itself can take that long or longer. In the meantime, security has been upgraded at both schools. The schools have also resorted to block scheduling to address some of the issues with overcrowding in the school and on buses. On Monday afternoon, a bomb threat that included a threatening note attached to a box with wires at Rich Central High School led administrators to put all 1,400 students on buses and move them to Rich South High School. He helped launch the website that later became Politico New York and co-founded the FAQ NYC podcast. Rich Township High School District 20550 S. Cicero Avenue Matteson, Illinois 60443 P. (708) 679-5800 F. (708) 679-5733 www.rich227.org. The girl behind me pushed me to the sidethey boys held her back. That's a recipe for chaos," she said. One hall monitor was hurt. Racially motivated.. According to the parents, the split and consolidation have led to numerous confrontations between the students. Please note: Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete. He stood for social justice and he stood for the people and this board does not stand for the people. Teachers say there is little to no protocol in place to call for backup security, and that staff are experiencing burnout because of the "FLEX" schedule put in place for COVID and overcrowding. I think its really dumb that we cant wear hoodies. While students from both schools were waiting outside, a large brawl broke out among numerous students, which resulted in injuries to several people. The white teenager tackles ZKye and is above him when two uniformed officers, who appear to be white, arrive. Cellphone video of officers responding to a fight at the Bridgewater Commons mall in Bridgewater, N.J., on Saturday. When teachers have called for security to break up fights they often get no answer, she said. At Tuesday night's school board meeting, parents and teachers of Rich Township High School District 227 described a school in chaos. He shouldnt have to deal with this his senior year of high school. "Since the tragic passing of our student this past Friday, we fully understand that students, staff and the community are hurting for the loss of such a young lady with a bright future," the letter begins. ZKye defended his friend, she said, as other teenagers at the mall began recording the encounter with their phones. The head of the teachers union and numerous parents described scenes of chaos, threats to personal safety, rampant disrespect of adults and the bungled rollout of a flexible-modular curriculum schedule that has created more of a free-for-all than an environment conducive to learning, critics said. Mr. Moench did not respond to telephone calls and email messages seeking comment. The footage itself lasts less than a minute. Video inside the lunchroom earlier this week at the Rich Township High School STEM Campus in Olympia Fields shows students waiting to board buses to head home. "They didn't send out a letter until two days after she died, they tried to hide it. No gimmicks. Sherrie Towery, a chemistry teacher and president of the Rich Township High School Education Association union, conveyed the severity of the crisis. She crumples on the floor. Kuch's father, Michael Kuch, said this week that Ocean County prosecutors told him they planned to file criminal charges against at least three of the girls seen on video attacking his daughter last month. Faced with a bomb threat on the Rich Central campus last week, a school administrator ordered all 1,400 students to board buses and head for their rival, Rich South. Tensions boiled over Tuesday night as dozens of Rich Township High School District 227 parents, teachers and taxpayers sought answers about fights in overcrowded schools, students unable to eat lunch and a new schedule that critics said gives students too much unstructured time to roam halls and cause trouble. Before Rich East closed, the districts two other schools were Rich South in Richton Park and Rich Central in Olympia Fields. But the residential school had a small enrollment of about 300 and dormitories where students could retreat to during unstructured times, she said. Hunter College Graduation Ceremony in New York, USA. In the video, a student is seen being assaulted by multiple individuals, leaving him with serious injuries. In a tone-deaf presentation before public comment, Varn seemed to blame the districts problems on systemic racism. ABC7's Ben Bradley says, "You were here that day, describe it for me.". Rich Township High School District 227's current plan calls for students at to be bused from one school to another. RICHTON PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- It was Friday night outside the football stadium at Rich Township High School in Richton Park. Weaver and others criticized Thomas and other administrators for not responding to their concerns. Parents blasted school officials, saying the program is unworkable in large public high schools where students need more structure. It was a routine scuffle that normally would have gotten little attention: two teenagers taking swings at each other in a New Jersey mall. We created an environment where we had to allow for the students to socially and emotionally adjust to the new environment, he said. It's disturbing, what do they expect our kids to do?" When asked if the district was possibly rethinking whether or not they press charges, or whether suspensions were appropriate, Parlapanides said "we are looking at that, we are looking at all of that.". Your email address will not be published. At least 10 students were charged for taking part in the brawl. The Rich Township District 227 Board of Education has heard your concerns, Bonds said. The school board president says they are already putting together a new evacuation plan, one that does not involve bringing two schools together. How do you work when youre on high alert?. MATTESON, Ill. - At Tuesday night's school board meeting, parents and teachers of Rich Township High School District 227 described a school in chaos. In a brief telephone interview on Thursday, ZKyes mother, who asked that she be identified only by her first name, Ebon, said her son remained in handcuffs for about 20 to 30 minutes. / CBS Chicago. The white teenager, who Mr. Crump said was in the 11th grade, was not handcuffed, Ebon said. Philip D. Murphy said the appearance of racially disparate treatment was deeply, deeply disturbing.. A mechanical ventilator pumped oxygen into his lungs, which had been ravaged by COVID-19. He is a lifelong New Yorker and graduate of the University at Albany. The officer who was with the white teenager on the couch leaves him there to help restrain ZKye, both officers placing their knees on his back. September 7, 2022. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. The Stadium Has a Message For You: Stay Away, Some Taylor Swift Fans Are Reporting Post-Concert Amnesia. There are staff members who go for four and five hours in a row without a break, she said. Transportation is another serious problem, parents said. Ettman suggested a cellphone ban be instituted. Administrators say bringing students from two schools together on one campus was actually an evacuation plan they prepared with police over the summer. The school board has faced criticism because bringing the students together was actually part of a pre-arranged evacuation plan put together with the assistance of police. Ten students were charged with felony mob action in connection with the melee. To use social login you have to agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Parents gathered at the districts offices in Matteson Tuesday to voice their concerns, which they argue was caused by the decision to close Rich East in 2019, consolidating the district into Rich Central and Rich South high schools. ', Bye, Bye Mosquitoes: These NYC Neighborhoods Will Be Sprayed Next Week, Feb. 8 Letter to Central Regional High School Community, Raccoon Politely Orders a Doughnut From a Dunkin' Drive-Thru Like a Regular', Award-Winning Artist, 35, Instantly Paralyzed' in NYC Subway Shove; Husband Speaks Out, An NJ high school student's death by suicide last week has now led to indefinite suspensions of four girls allegedly involved in a hallway attack caught on video that was posted on social media, The victim, 14-year-old Adriana Kuch, took her own life at her Bayville, New Jersey, home two days later, family and investigators say; they say Central Regional High School handled the situation poorly, The school district says it followed policy in not filing a police report over the attack, instead taking the girl to the nurse; her father says that's not good enough and is demanding justice. When they arrived, someone pulled a fire alarm sending another 1,000 kids outside. (Ted Slowik / Daily Southtown). Daily digital updates direct to your inbox! It goes on to reference a moment of silence, and the school's plan to let the students rally in a peaceful, organized manner. Only the Black One Was Handcuffed. District 227, however, is particularly affected by a nationwide bus driver shortage. The fight broke out on Sept. 30 at Rich South High School, after Rich Central High School students were taken there due to a bomb threat earlier in the day at Central. Towery said she and her fellow educators were exhausted just a few weeks into the school year. It's totally free! No charges were filed against either teenager, she said. Michael Kuch unleashed his own social media messaging, saying he took Adriana Kuch to the cops right after the incident. Teacher Ashlee Thompson had a lot to worry about this year: A deadly virus. It seems all school board members can agree on is that this chaos was the result of an evacuation plan gone wrong. A 40-second cellphone video clip shows some terrifying moments. Sherrie Towery, president of the Rich Township High School Education Association union and a chemistry teacher, addresses the District 227 Board Sept. 28, 2021. A poor district under threat by the state. The district says it will review crisis management plans at its meeting next week. Instead, they ended up displaying some bad behavior of their own, as board member shouted and cut each other off while discussing possible private investigators the board might hire to look into the brawl. I have had it. I just feel like the administration has not taken it serious, and when they do take it serious, its like, theyre treating us like prisoners, she said. Whats worse, critics said, is how district officials have refused to acknowledge the crisis and instead have tried to spin operations as running smoothly with a few minor hiccups. . She told the board a number of fights have broken out in recent weeks. The typical student will have several 20-minute intervals during the day with no requirement to do anything and no place they have to be, according to a sample schedule posted on the districts website. Chicago Sky erase a 19-point 2nd-half deficit in an 86-82 road win over the New York Liberty, Hundreds of thousands march in Poland anti-government protests to show support for democracy, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. The Sweet Fern Savanna Land and Water Reserve, in the heart of Pembroke Township, Illinois, offers a glimpse into what much of the area looked like before European settlers drained swamps and cleared forests to grow corn and soybeans. My granddaughter was terrified, she had never seen anything like that," said Sandra King, grandparent of Rich South student. Im done with this district. Then, both teens start throwing punches as the crowd around them backs away. On Tuesday night, parents came to their school board in search of answers. Black Farmers See a Legacy Bought Out From Under Them, Measure Proposes Combating Carjacking in Illinois with a Tracking Hotline Mandate, Court Rules Pekin Gaming Tax Pre-empted by State Law: Small Businesses, Players Win, Convicted Felon Charged with Possession of Child Pornography, IL GOP: Pritzker and Johnsons Safety Plan Fails as Chicago Nearly Breaks Bloody Record, Cook County to Award Additional $100,000 in Honor Grants to Nonprofits that Serve Veterans. Three students were trampled, a staff member was hit in the face and a police officer hurt his knee after a fight broke out among students. The Murder Chicago Didnt Want to Solve (Chicago, IL) The man who called me, a long-retired Chicago police officer, was alternately charming and curt. If Tuesday night's school board meeting was meant to reassure parents, it had the opposite effect. Authorities are reviewing surveillance video and say there could be more arrests. All Rights Reserved. Both parents and teachers also described many students being unaccounted for during the school day. "The blame game and all that stuff has got to stop and we've got to solve this! We want an orderly academic environment that is safe for our staff and our students," said the veteran teacher. Many teachers have said that the rule is a joke. Before public comment, Thomas seemed to downplay concerns. The school board has agreed to hire a private investigator to review the situation, and will examine proposals from a number of law firms on Thursday. The white teenager stands up and appears to take a few small steps toward the officers and ZKye. The office is located in Matteson, IL, near village hall and the Matteson Police Department. Parents and students are saying that there have been over 30 fights since the start of school in mid-August while the district says that the fighting is being curbed. She is then set upon by at least two people, the video shows, slammed into school lockers and surrounded by what is now a trio of attackers. One teacher with 19 years' experience at Rich described unprecedented levels of physical and verbal aggression from students. WARNING: Note that some viewers may find its contents disturbing. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/17/nyregion/mall-fight-bridgewater-commons-nj.html. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. I love hoodies.. Azi Paybarah is a reporter covering breaking news, based in New York. According to Randall White, a parent of students in the district, he was immediately met with hostility when the district heard of the plans to gather. Just news! But when the police arrived and pulled . The family of the Black teenager, ZKye Husain, 14, is working with Benjamin Crump, the civil rights lawyer who represented the families of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other high-profile victims of police brutality against Black people. CHICAGO (CBS) -- A special school board meeting to address last week's fight between rival high schools in Rich Township got a little testy itself on Tuesday. The 14-year-old girl at its center is dead. All four girls involved in the attack on Kuch, who took her own life at her home 48 hours after video of the bullying surfaced online, have been suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the legal process, the district superintendent confirmed Thursday. Once they got here, someone pulled a fire alarm emptying out Rich South. - At Tuesday night's school board meeting, parents and teachers of Rich Township High School District 227 described a school in chaos. A Bridgewater Commons spokeswoman said both teenagers had been banned from the mall for three years. A spokesman for the Bridgewater Police Department referred questions to the Somerset County Prosecutors Office, which did not respond to requests for comment. Fights and Violence at Rich Township High School Leave Parents Upset. To hear the teachers talk like that, it scares me as a parent, Aloway said. RICH TOWNSHIP, Ill. Parents and students of a south suburban high school are upset after the school distributed more than 600 graduation stoles to seniors with the word 'graduate'. Mr. Crump said other videos of the fight could surface showing more of the encounter and the officers response to it. That's when a fight broke out between students from the two schools. Thank you for supporting our journalism. By CBS Chicago Team Updated on: May 31, 2023 / 2:30 PM / CBS Chicago MATTESON, Ill. (CBS) -- A south suburban high school and a graduation wear vendor are apologizing for an embarrassing typo -. said Sheila Friday, member, Rich Township School Board. The victim, 14-year-old Adriana Kuch, took her own life at her Bayville, New Jersey, home two days later, family and investigators say; they say Central Regional High School handled the situation . 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