At Woodlawn High, fight erupts amid anger management lesson

Baltimore Sun ^ | 4-2-2003 | Julie Bykowicz

[Cagey]

Two people are arrested in brawl, including parent; 11 students suspended

By Julie Bykowicz

Sun Staff

Originally published April 2, 2004

Woodlawn High School ninth-graders who gathered yesterday for an assembly on anger management instead got an up-close lesson in violence, when a shoving match grew into a melee that led to two arrests - including one student's mother - and 11 suspensions.

As students on stage acted out peaceful ways to resolve conflict, one student's mother confronted a group of girls who had been bothering her child, authorities said.

Screaming quickly escalated into pushing and hitting, and school officials dialed 911 as the crowd of 750 students erupted into "chaos," said Woodlawn Principal C. Anthony Thompson.

[Cagey]

She said the facilitator presenting the assembly....

Facilitator....now that's a great job title.

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[rhombus]

But can any of them read?

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

"I don't have an anger problem. I have an idiot problem!" - Hank Hill

[Wolfie]

The real problem with public schools is public parents.

[martin_fierro]

No amateurs, please. Send FReepmail if you want on/off ISHP list

[martin_fierro]

There are no stupid questions.

Just lots and lots of inquisitive idiots.

[kenth]

You can't fight in here, this is the War Room.

[FITZ]

It does seem like it's the parents. Why do some people have kids when they're so incapable of parenting?

[martin_fierro]

She said the facilitator presenting the assembly, organized by Sheppard Pratt Health System, seemed frustrated by the fighting and started yelling for people to stop. Sheppard Pratt officials, who offer conflict resolution programs to local schools, could not be reached yesterday.

"ALL IS WELLLLL!!! aLl iS wElLlLlLLlLLLllLL!!!"

[Teacher317]

She said the facilitator presenting the assembly....
Facilitator....now that's a great job title.

I'll bet you anything that she's a free-lancer, and made at least $3000 for facilitating the "presentation".

[Charles Henrickson]

From the full article:

Last year, 10 people were arrested and charged with assaulting a police officer and disorderly conduct during an evening fashion show at the high school. . . . In 2002, the school population included an estimated 60 gang members and 200 students from group homes, many with discipline problems.

[fml]

A 33 year old woman and her ten-age daughter - yep, it's definately the parents.

[PBRSTREETGANG]

She said the facilitator presenting the assembly, organized by Sheppard Pratt Health System, seemed frustrated by the fighting and started yelling for people to stop.

So "yelling for people to stop" is the special expertise that the (no doubt well-paid) "facilitator" brings to the table?

[ladylib]

Who knows? My niece opted out of Baltimore County schools in the 4th grade, meaning she came home from the local zoo/insane asylum/borstal aka "school" and told her parents they had better start looking for a new school for her, 'cause she wasn't going to go back there next year.

She lives down the street from one of "Newsweeks" Top 100 High Schools and there is absolutely no way her parents will send her there either. That school apparently "has problems" also.

[ladylib]

Nice little racket they have going.

[catonsville]

Woodlawn High School is within walking distance from me, my daughter graduated from the school in the early eighties.

A once good school has deteriorated into a home for malcontents and future Burger King employees.
The school has excellent facilities, ( I do tai Chi at and run along their fine outdoor track) but this has not stemmed the violence and the lowering of standards.

This is NOT an inner city school, these middle class kids should be getting a good education. Instead the bums are taking over. I feel sorry for the rest.

[DollyCali]

Just out of curiosity does anyone know where woodland HS is?

[Cagey]

I'll bet you anything that she's a free-lancer, and made at least $3000 for facilitating the "presentation".

Politically connected and feeding at the public trough, no doubt.

[catonsville]

It is in Baltimore County. Years ago, Woodlawn had some of the finest homes in the Baltimore suburbs, The neighborhood deteriorated into a haven for drug dealers and muggers. Say the name "Woodlawn" to any long-term Baltimore resident and the image is one of the lead murder story on local TV.

The school is actually outside of the main section of Woodlawn. Unfortunately ,it draws many of its students from within the area.