The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
A security guard used pepper spray on students to break up a food fight Tuesday at Lafayette-Winona Middle School.
"Children who were in the vicinity of the incident, or any who complained of physical symptoms, were examined by the school nurse," Principal Tracey Flemings said in a letter sent home with students Wednesday.
In the letter, Flemings said a school security guard "determined that it was necessary to use pepper spray to end a food fight." The name of the security guard was not disclosed. Flemings said she was working with the division's pupil personnel department to determine whether the use of pepper spray met policy procedures.
"If we find that the protocols were not followed, appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that it does not happen again," the letter said. The Norfolk School Board's policy allows security guards to use handcuffs or pepper spray.
The policy, posted on the board's website, also says, "it is essential that they understand the limits upon their ability to exercise authority over and use force or restraint upon students. Their authority and ability to use force or restraint upon students is that of any other school teacher or administrator."
The policy requires guards to be trained according to standards of the Virginia Center for School Safety. The division requires its coordinator of security to investigate any incidents in which handcuffs or pepper spray were used.
Lafayette-Winona enrolls sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders and is at 1701 Alsace Ave.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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And another thing
Bet the kids got suspended, now there is a deterent.........that is a ridiculous punishment for a mis behaved kid, why not just give them the day off with pay? THEY SHOULD HAVE ALL GOTTEN IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION AND SPENT IT CLEANING THE CAFETERIA AND THE ENTIRE BUILDING EVEN IF NORFOLK CANINE HAD TO ENFORCE IT. Just as long as the whining teacher that didn't want special kids in her class there. I would prefer a marine drill sargeant.
Continued
Parent of one of each type disability. there are many dedicated, hard working, wonderful teachers out there. Do us all a favor.....since you clearly have a bad attitude, are burned out on teaching, looking for a perfect world go get a job at the library or elsewhere. Do it for yourself......you don't belong in the school
You are a teacher? Really
I believe the guard should be able to use the spray. Even physical force to regain control. THAT SAID, when reading the coments pro and against I was OUTRAGED to read the comment from the teacher against inclusion. You are full of crap. The special Ed kids, even the ones with emotional or mental illness ARE most certainly NOT excempt from rules and or punishment. I suppose you would like them all locked off site so they have no positive peer models..? Maybe you could request all "normal" kids and sit in class alone? The ppbysically and mentally impaired are mostly the best behaved at school THIER PARENTS SPEND EXTRA TIME with them. The emotionally disabled are not exempt and often have more stringent rules in some areas. I am the parent of one of ea
Most Posters
seem to think like I do...these kids will get a lot worse than pepper gas and soon, but the free lunches will continue! after all, it's pre-school for them.
These are Norfolk public
These are Norfolk public school students, they carry a gun to school all the time. If they are old enough to do that then getting pepper-sprayed is no biggie. If they think a can of spray is bad, I know some cops and ex cops in north Carolina used riot extinguishers on crowds this size.
Industrial size
they need to give the rent a cops industrial size pepper spray to use on them when you have a bunch of out of control kids tossing chairs books and food attempting to harm and maim others then the use of force to control a mob is justified
and to all the parents who will clam not my child he /she would never do that yea right tell that to some one who buys a line of cow fertilizer try AL or Jessee they are allways looking for a cause to make a buck
Just saw it on the news...
The kids they interviewed looked too old to be in middle school. Plus, I doubt this was "just" a fight. I'm sure it was a borderline riot with many kids getting involved. Knowing that schools only have a few security officers, this was probably the best course of action. The mob could have turned on the officers. It really makes me laugh that these kids are now using this as an excuse not to go to school. Any excuse. They're "afraid" to go to school now. It's not like someone was randomly spraying pepper spray at people. The way I see it, those kids that didn't remove themselves from the situation and instead got involved, then you deserved to be sprayed. I'm sure parents will line up to sue the school system.
Another thought
This may have occurred in a middle school but to assume these students were of middle school age may not be accurate. I am curious how many "over-age" middle schoolers are at LaFayette waiting for their "social promotions".
Maybe...
They would be less likely to throw food if they had to pay for it.
free lunches
I agree these kids would never throw food if they had to pay for it! We need to cut funding for this. let them bring a sandwich from home. I am sick to death of my hard earned tax dollars paying for stuff like this! Esp when the kids and parents could care less and think it's their right to receive free food etc because they are poor. If you're poor why are you having kids? and if you do have kids at least teach them manners!