Montclair Schools Superintendent Frank Alvarez wrote to district parents late on Monday about the incidents last week at Montclair High School, which involved MHS and other students, and resulted in many arrests.
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers:
The purpose of this letter is to inform you of recent incidents at Montclair High School. Although you may not have a child at the high school, it is important that you understand that these matters are of serious concern to the district and that appropriate measures are being taken.
Last week there were two major altercations involving several Montclair High School students as well as non-resident students. As a result, eight Montclair High School students and four non-resident students were arrested by the Montclair Police Department. All Montclair High School students who were involved in the altercations have been identified and suspended. Further disposition of the matter relative to either expulsion or alternative placement will be forthcoming pending due process proceedings pursuant to Montclair Board of Education policy.
Student safety is always a top priority. A safe and orderly environment is foremost in establishing a productive learning community. Please be assured that we are doing everything possible to achieve this goal.
Sincerely,
Frank Alvarez
Superintendent
Measures? Oh brother.
measures have been taken.
passive voice has been engaged.
Ugh…reads like a form letter that you get from your bank or insurance company.
Do you mind explaining what “measures” have been taken?
Not that hard to understand, is it? It’s pretty clear to me that the “measures” include immediate suspension; now they’re deciding whether to expel them or send them out of district. And there have been plenty of cops around after school lately…
Where was Alvarez last week? On the golf course? Hiding under his desk? What a leader.
Mai Tai’s were had.
“measures being taken” …. let’s try “I resign”
Or, “There will be resignations”
He is not worried, his kids don’t go to the HS
That is ridiculous, Jo. Alvarez would never say “I resign.” It’s too simple, too definitive, too unambiguous.
The best we can hope for is something like this:
“In the interests of facilitating efficient management of the school district, it may in the future be prudent to make certain changes to the structure of the management team. A study has been commissioned and outside consultants will be retained. Upon receipt of their recommendations, in six to nine months, meetings will be undertaken to determine the correct course of action, and a final recommendation submitted to the town for actioning.”
Sounds like Cary Africk saying “no”.
“All Montclair High School students who were involved in the altercations have been… suspended.” Those fighting in the streets? We are keeping them out in the streets.
Thank God the Pony Express finally delivered his letter.
I mean, it’s not like we have a system that 1) can immediately put this letter in a place everyone can see, or 2) can immediately send this letter to EVERY resident/student.
This guy is a joke and he has to go.
Between this letter and Earle’s letter, well you know how I feel about these two idiots….
(Any chance that Rhodes Scholar kid can take his place?)
The more press these highschool fights get, the more fights there are going to be.
Plus, what highschool doesn’t have their share of fist-fights? This isn’t news.
It’s news, Shannon, because the fight occurred between students and out-of-towners who were not students. Also, one of the students assaulted a police officer.
The bigger issue here is why are these young people so angry?
Shannon,
Kids don’t watch/listen to “the PRESS” anymore.
They hear about it in the best place possible: SCHOOL.
So unlike a communities feeling about crime, which is skewed by media accounts, fights at schools don’t.
Because I doubt very many kids were following up here or on Montclairtimes.com when they could simply go on facebook and hear from someone who “was there.”
And Nellie, kids have always fought– some as great art– The Outsiders, West Side Stories, etc. so the question is not why are THESE young people angry.
It’s why don’t they dance in unison, snapping their fingers and singing!!
kids have always fought– some as great art…
This is silly, prof. Kids may fight, but they don’t always strike policemen and refuse to disburse when asked. This statement says more about your unwillingness to think about the problems in this district than any fundamental truth about kids. The recent violence shows that something is rotten in Montclair. You just don’t want to see it.
if it is true that “measures are being taken” can someone please explain why [portion of comment deleted] was in school on Tues? Why did the school allow these athletes back to school so quickly? Are they more concerned with their sports record then the safety of our students? What do you have to say about that Dr. Alvarez/Mr.Porcelli/Mr. Earle???
Mr. Roo,
Certainly you jest with this idea that only NOW there is violence in our schools?
As I wrote, there has been fights and will be fights in the future. Some will involve cops, crossing guards, teachers, lunch aids– you name it.
And YES, kids have refused to “disburse when asked,” before.
This IS NOT NEW.
Your suggestion that it is tells me much about you.
By your rule, because Montclair produced a Rhodes Scholar, that would mean something is RIGHT with our schools. (I guess YOU just don’t want to see it….)
Can’t have it only work one way.
Unless, of course, you’re working hard to make a false point.
Involving the police in this matter in any way, shape, or form is a mistake. Also, I find it extremely distressing at how people think roughing up a police officer is any worse than doing it to a classmate or someone not in a uniform. Quite frankly, a lot of officers (especially in the Montclair Police Department) could use some of that. Pardon me if I’ve offended anyone.