Dear Parents and Guardians:
Abington Senior High School is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all our students. Recently, there have been unfortunate altercations on our school premises, which have garnered significant attention on various social media platforms, as well as, in local media.
Updates and Next Steps
Beyond the eight students who were initially arrested immediately following the altercation, additional students were identified through police investigation as being involved in the incident and were subsequently arrested. As announced by the Abington Township Police Department (APD), these students are facing serious criminal charges, in addition to being disciplined in accordance with our Board Policy regarding Student Offenses and Discipline Procedures, which was most recently amended in August. While I understand that parents/guardians want to know what those disciplinary measures will be out of a concern for future safety, we are not legally permitted to share those details.
I can confirm the following outcomes and measures have been taken since September 14th in an effort to foster and maintain a safe learning environment at Abington Senior High School:
● Students who filmed the incident to promote it through social media are receiving consequences.
● Teachers and staff at the Senior High had the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Fecher to discuss the incident, in addition to having an opportunity to confidentially share suggestions and/or feedback for increased safety.
● Abington Senior High administration will re-examine the parameters of the Lunch and Learn block from a security standpoint.
● We have increased the number of teachers and staff monitoring hallways during class changes.
● We have worked with the APD to increase police presence.
● Lastly, I remind you of the added safety measures that were previously put in place for football games and will remain for the duration of the season.
Supporting School Safety
We understand that incidents often find their way onto social media platforms in today's digital age. The posted altercations become “clickbait” and exacerbate an already tenuous situation.
● Please speak with your student about the importance of not escalating a student conflict by encouraging negative behavior for the purpose of social media entertainment. Recording a video with the intention of publicly posting it on a social media platform is against our Superintendent’s Administrative Procedure regarding Electronic Communication Devicesand Electronic Devices - Restrictions on the Use by Students. Any misuse of cellphones will result in disciplinary consequences.
● Further, if you see a concerning video or account on social media, please report it to the respective social media platform, your student’s grade-level assistant principal, and/or Abington Township Police. Anyone who has information pertaining to this incident, please contact School Resource Officer Jordan Jones at 267-536-1074 or jjones@abingtonpa.gov.
● If your student is under duress because of these recent events, the school counseling team is available to provide support. Please get in touch with their school counselor.
Our Abington Senior High School team is here to address your questions and work together to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment. None of us entered the field of education to intercede in fights, and those who place us and our students at risk will be held accountable to the furthest extent possible.
Further, we remain committed to fostering respect, understanding, and unity among our students. We are confident that, by working together, we can overcome challenges and create a positive educational experience for all. We will not allow the actions of a small group of students to outweigh the many positive things that happen at our high school every day. Thank you for your cooperation and support in maintaining the safety and well-being of our students.
Regards,
Angelo Berrios
Principal