[RP TownTalk] Hyattsville Middle Student behavior

Wed Oct 9 13:50:32 UTC 2013

I did speak to Mr. Cox at the school.  He said they would "try to make an announcement during lunch".  I do know that down at Poncho's, they only let 2 kids in at a time and monitor them in the store.  Sometimes, there is a police car down there.
I don't know what the best answer is, which is why I reached out to the community to hear ideas.  It is truly sad.  These are children.  They need some kind of guidance, some boundaries, respect in themselves, their school and their community.  I know it is normal for there to be fights at this age---it happens----however, it is happening all the time and getting worse.  I worry about them because they are children.  They may think they are big and bad, but they are kids.  They dont understand how serious the situation can get.  Last year, we had to call an ambulance because a child was hurt so badly during a fight in our parking lot.
I am willing to be involved if there is something we can do.  If I do have to send my son there next year, I do not want to be worrying about his safety every day.
And again, I didnt think my email came off as accusing every HMS student is acting like this, that was definitely not my intention.  I am speaking on my personal experiences and wondering how to try and fix this problem.
Jen

On Wednesday, October 9, 2013 8:11 AM, Sue Collins <wheadle at yahoo.com> wrote:

correction - this was my post, don't know how Mr. Whitcombs' name and email got attached to it.  Sorry)

From: Todd Whitcomb <toddwhitcomb2002 at yahoo.com>
To: Jen Sanderson <jensan6877 at yahoo.com>; "HOPE_in_Hyattsville at yahoogroups.com" <HOPE_in_Hyattsville at yahoogroups.com>; "towntalk at riverdale-park.org" <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>; "MountRainierMD at yahoogroups.com" <MountRainierMD at yahoogroups.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 7:09 AM
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Hyattsville Middle Student behavior

(I think my previous email just went to Ms. Sanderson)    

I would say first of all do NOT try and break up any fights yourself, let the police handle it.  I've seen people elsewhere get seriously hurt when they tried to break up a fight.  Too, do you or a friend have a camera with a telephoto lens, maybe you could get some pictures of the offenders and show them to the school and police?  (I say telephoto because if the ones who are fighting are also trying to intimidate people, blocking cars, etc., you don't want to get too close with a camera).  If they're hanging out around Ponchos, has anyone talked to the owner about it?  Is he/she encouraging them to hang around?  If not, have the police been called to disperse the loiterers?  If any of the offenders ARE caught, I think the parents should be held liable for their childrens' behavior.  I know if MY Mom had been told I was acting like that, I wouldn't have been able to sit down for a week and I would've been grounded for months.  You expect kids
 that age to be a bit crazy (hey, we all were), but when it comes to fighting, trying to 'stare down' people, blocking cars, etc., then I agree, something DOES need to be done.     

From: Jen Sanderson <jensan6877 at yahoo.com>
To: "HOPE_in_Hyattsville at yahoogroups.com" <HOPE_in_Hyattsville at yahoogroups.com>; "towntalk at riverdale-park.org" <towntalk at riverdale-park.org>; "MountRainierMD at yahoogroups.com" <MountRainierMD at yahoogroups.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, October 8, 2013 3:25 PM
Subject: [RP TownTalk] Hyattsville Middle Student behavior

I know I have emailed about this before.  We have lived across from Hyattsville Middle for 5 years.  These children are so out of control and disrespectful at dismissal each day, it is ridiculous.  We have had to call the police and break up fights many times over the last 5 years.  I have contacted the school.  I have contacted Hyattsville Police.  I have sent emails here, hoping that if your children attend Hyattsville Middle, you will talk to them.  
Just yesterday, I called the police because of a fight at the corner of 42nd and Oglethorpe.  The police did not arrive quickly enough so another woman and I were yelling at the kids to break it up.  Then the police car came and kids started dispersing.  The kids gather down at Poncho's, they block the parking lot, they block the door, they have stood in front of my car so I could not move. They cuss at you.  They "try" to be intimidating.  I, personally, am not intimidated and am very quick to put them in their place. Something needs to be done.  Suggestions?  I cannot imagine having to send my child there next year.

Thanks,
Jen
42nd Ave.
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