HENRIETTA, N.Y. — Rush-Henrietta CSD Superintendent Dr. Barbara Mullen is looking for parents to join the discussion regarding safety.
This after Rush-Henrietta Senior High School went into lockdown Thursday morning after a fight broke out inside the building.
“Over the past few days we have had several incidents of students engaging in altercations at the Senior High School. Despite rumors stating otherwise, I would like to reassure you there were no weapons involved,” Mullen said.
What Happened?
Previous Coverage: Rush-Henrietta Senior High School went into lockdown due to fight
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office responded to the school to help break up the fight. Deputies said one student was taken to a local hospital with a possible head injury and confirmed that no weapons were involved.
A message from Mullen explained that staff first placed the building in a hold-in-place to keep students in classrooms while security responded. After a staff member heard what sounded like a gunshot, the school went into lockdown for about 40 minutes, but the Sheriff’s Office later confirmed no shots were fired.
News10NBC received two videos showing fights in a classroom and in the hallway. In the first video, four students are seen fighting by the whiteboard as the rest of the classroom quickly clears, and one student is hit repeatedly in the face before security intervenes.
Mullen said that students who engaged in violent behavior will be held accountable, but she cannot share information on those involved because of privacy regulations. She also said the district has increased security and added resources to support students who feel fighting is the only way to resolve conflicts.
A staff member told News10NBC that career center students did not have a designated classroom for their final period, leaving them to wander the hallways, however the school told us “EMCC students do have a designated classroom for the final period of the day.”
Dr. Mullen acknowledged the fear and worry caused by recent events and encouraged community members to attend the Board of Education meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at the Parker Administration Building.
What’s Next?
The district will also host a Safety Forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Senior High School, with both events available via livestream. Dr. Mullen said she wants to continue listening to students, staff and the community to make sure everyone feels safe and like they belong in Rush-Henrietta.
The district is inviting feedback and questions from families and community members as it works to improve safety at the school.
The community is invited to the next Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, it will also be live streamed here: Rush-Henrietta Board of Education.
There is also a safety forum on Wednesday. You are invited to submit questions in person but also in advance of the forum here: SHS Safety Forum, this will also be live streamed.
The full message from the superintendent can be read below.
A Message from Superintendent Dr. Barbara MullenFocus on Safety: Join Us at Two Events This WeekDear Rush-Henrietta Community,This past week was challenging in many ways at Rush-Henrietta Senior High School. I want to recap what happened and invite all interested community members to attend two events this week. I recognize the angst and fear many experienced at the high school and resolve to do better. We want to hear from you as we make improvements for the short term and future.
Opportunities to Provide FeedbackFirst, the Rush-Henrietta Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 29. This meeting will be held in the cafeteria at the Senior High School, 1799 Lehigh Station Road. In addition, the community is invited to a Safety Forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, September 30. This event also will be held at the Senior High School. Both meetings will be livestreamed. Details can be found later in this message.
Here is What HappenedThis past Thursday, a fight inside the high school left one student injured. A handful of students arranged in advance for the altercation to occur during the school day. Someone not permitted to be in the building that day was let inside by a student and the fight ensued in a classroom. The scene was recorded and video was shared online. No question, it was disturbing to see.
Hold-in-Place Becomes a LockdownStaff initially placed the building in a hold-in-place, a move designed to keep students in their classrooms and out of the hallways while building security and or staff respond to the situation. Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene, too. We are thankful for their support.
A staff member heard what sounded like a gunshot and moved the building into lockdown in an effort to further protect everyone inside. The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed no shots were fired.
The lockdown lasted for about 40 minutes. Deputies began releasing individual classrooms from lockdown 15 minutes after it was initiated but the process takes time to complete to ensure it is done according to procedure. We know that the silence students and staff experienced contributed to the fear and worry they felt. However, our safety protocols prohibit using the public-address system during a lockdown.
Reflecting on the AftermathIt wasn’t just one incident last week that left students and staff members unnerved. This was the second fight in two days at the high school. If your student is having a difficult time after the fight or lockdown,or after viewing the disturbing footage, please contact Joe Jackson, director of wellness and equity, at 359-5086 or [email protected]. Counselors will be available at the Senior High School all day Monday to meet with students.
Where Do We Go from Here?On Friday, some students peacefully walked out during the last period of the day to make their voices heard. Members of the superintendent’s cabinet joined me at the high school to listen.
We will keep listening. We want to hear your concerns and perspectives.
With that in mind, the community is invited to attend the next Board of Education meeting and Safety Forum this week. If you are unable to be there, it will be livestreamed at rhnet.org/forum. (The link will become live on Wednesday.)
You are invited to submit questions in person but also in advance of the forum at rhnet.org/safetyquestions. The Board of Education meeting on Tuesday also will be livestreamed as usual at rhnet.org/liveboard.
On a related note, the district sent a phone call this past Thursday to inform families the school was in lockdown. When classes resumed, the all-clear was sent via email. In the future, when families are told via automated phone call about a lockdown, we will share via phone when the lockdown has ended.
I encourage everyone to continue providing feedback to us. I sincerely hope to see you this week as we continue this important conversation. As always, please also feel comfortable emailing me. I can be reached at [email protected]
Sincerely,Dr. Barbara MullenSuperintendent
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