> the school staff member “acted stupid. <
It’s wise to leave breaking up a fight to the professionals (school security or the police). But sometimes an average Joe just has to step in.
And I should know. I was teaching in an inner city high school at the time. I turned a corner, and a large girl was repeatedly slamming a small girl up against a hallway wall. (Black on black, by the way.)
Girl-girl fights are the worst. But I had to step in, as the smaller girl had at least one head wound. Her blood was smeared all over the wall. So I broke up the fight. And yes, I took a punch in the process. Still, no regrets.
And what happened to that large girl? She was expelled. But hold your applause. In most city school districts, “expelled” means just moved down the road to another city school. No real punishment at all.
One more thing. Most city high schools cannot be saved. Again, I should know. The school where I taught still has honors classes and many good kids. But the trajectory is obvious. It gets worse each year.
*But sometimes an average Joe just has to step in.*
You should point to the biggest black kid (male) and demand his help.
*In most city school districts, “expelled” means just moved down the road to another city school. No real punishment at all.*
The new school’s principal should read the riot act to the kid. One last chance. Chances are the new principal is scared or just mailin’ it in.
*The school where I taught still has honors classes and many good kids. But the trajectory is obvious. It gets worse each year.*
Vouchers/school choice 100%.
I was told to NEVER break up school fights - the last one I broke up, the principal screamed in my ear for 15 minutes - she said to let ‘em kill each other, she couldn’t spare me getting hurt.
She reminded me, in California, a teacher’s legal duty, when it comes to fights, is to tell the fighters to stop and then get help, to never, ever get physically involved.
I’ve seen some vicious, vicious fights - weaves and nails pulled out, scratching like wild animals, chairs tossed across the room...
Husband had it worse as a school dean and counselor, he broke up plenty of fights (and yes, girls are the worst b/c they won’t back down) - but then he was also the wrestling coach, taught self-defense and had a black belt. Never got hurt once.