Over the last week there has been an increase in student aggression at Newtown High School resulting in numerous arrests and prompting Police Chief David Kullgren and Newtown High School Principal Dr Kimberly Longobucco to reach out to students and parents, and issue releases concerning the incidents.

The arrests stemmed from an initial physical altercation involving several students that subsequently spurred two additional confrontations and altercations, also involving numerous students.

The three altercations, which occurred at Newtown High School on March 16, 21, and 22 were related, according to Kullgren. School Resource officers including William Chapman concluded their investigation of these three incidents on March 23, and issued a Juvenile Summons to 12 students.

The state Office of Policy and Management website states that when an arrest is made, the police issue a Juvenile Summons and prepare a Police Arrest Report that describes the incident, lists the charges, specifies a court appearance date, and includes a promise to appear signed by the parents.

If police believe that the welfare of the child or the safety of the community requires that the juvenile be confined prior to the initial court hearing, they may apply for an order to detain from a judge of the Superior Court.

In a letter signed by Kullgren and Longobucco that was provided to The Newtown Bee, and is posted on the municipal website, it states:

“Over the last week there has been an increase in student aggression at Newtown High School. In response to the incident last week we increased our security presence throughout the building, particularly in shared spaces and bathrooms. Today, (March 22) this approach was able to quickly identify an altercation that took place related to last week’s event. Security and administration responded immediately and all students were quickly identified. In collaboration with the Newtown Police Department consequences were issued.

“The behavior that was demonstrated by some Newtown students over the past week is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Newtown High School will continue to issue consequences as established in the student handbook as well as recommend the involvement of Newtown Police to enforce all applicable laws,” the letter continues.

In light of recent incidents, all behavioral expectations will be reviewed with students on the morning announcements as well as during an upcoming Advisory lesson. It is crucial that students report concerns to a trusted adult, including administration, or to utilize the Anonymous Alerts app, which can be accessed directly from the Newtown High School website or via the mobile app,” the letter continues.

“Additionally, it is important that students refrain from posting or distributing any social media content related to a school incident. This inherently heightens the situation, has the potential to interfere with an ongoing investigation and may lead to additional consequences, not limited to suspensions, loss of extra curricular activities.

“The safety of all students is paramount to both Newtown Public Schools and the Newtown Police Department. We will continue to assess safety measures in our educational environments and adjust accordingly,” the letter concludes.

Kullgren’s separate release goes on to clarify that the “Police Department’s goal is to actively filter most Juvenile cases through various restorative and creative avenues; however, due to the particularly aggressive nature of both incidents it was deemed appropriate to apply Juvenile charges in addition to whatever consequences the School saw fit.”

In all three incidents, multiple students were issued a Juvenile Summons for 53a-181, Breach of Peace, 2nd Degree. One Juvenile was also charged with 53a-61, Assault 3rd Degree, the release states.

“Our investigation also indicated that though multiple avenues of reporting and support for peer to peer conflict exist and are made widely available to students, the Juveniles involved chose not to take advantage of those resources,” Kullgren noted.

He goes on to say that state law prohibits public identification of Juveniles charged, “and I encourage parents who may have knowledge of these incidents to use the utmost discretion in sharing details with others in the interest of protecting the privacy of the Juveniles involved and allowing them to learn and grow from their experiences without undue public condemnation.”

He said it is “the goal of the Newtown Police Department, and the Newtown community, to support our young people and foster an environment of growth and learning, even when they make mistakes,” adding that “the Police Department and Board of Education are committed to working as a cohesive team in support of the best interests of all students.”

=====

Editor John Voket can be reached at john@thebee.com.