Fight Prompts Lockdown at Arundel High School

A fight that included nearly a dozen girls at Arundel High School Friday morning had the school on lockdown for a time, authorities say.

Anne Arundel County Police say eight Arundel High School students from Odenton and Crofton were charged as juveniles as a result of Friday morning’s fight. They range in age from 14 to 17 and were charged with assault, disorderly conduct and disrupting school operations, police say. All the youths will be released to a parents or guardian.

A large contingent of officers responded for crowd control purposes and to ensure the safety of the students at the school. At no time were there any weapons involved in this incident, authorities say.

There were no serious injuries as a result of the disturbance.

Principal Sharon Stratton, in a letter to parents, says she ordered the lockdown as the fastest way to restore order and find those involved in the melee.

The full text of her letter to parents follows.

December 19, 2014

Parents,

As you may be aware, our school was put on lockdown this morning. I am writing to provide you with more information and reassure you that measures are in place to ensure instruction resumes and proceeds on schedule.

At about 10:25 this morning, during the first half of our Wildcat Hour, a fight began between two girls near the cafeteria. About 10 girls eventually ended up involved, and given the large number of students congregating in the area, I ordered that the school be put on lockdown. This was a precautionary measure and was done for two reasons: to restore calm in the quickest manner possible and to allow our administration and police to locate students we needed to question. Students were instructed to go into the nearest classroom and remain there during the lockdown.

The lockdown was lifted a few minutes ago, and we are adjusting our schedule for the remainder of the day to ensure that all students have a chance to eat lunch and attend all scheduled classes.

Our investigation, as well as one under way by police, is still continuing. In addition to any charges brought by police, we will take appropriate action in accordance with the Code of Student Conduct with regard to any student found to be involved.

As a precautionary measure, additional police officers remain at our school. As I write this email, everything is calm and things are proceeding normally. I feel confident that we will have a normal remainder of the day, and I will alert you to any new developments in this case.

Sincerely,

Sharon Stratton, Principal