Report Concludes Violence, Vandalism Low at Ridgewood Schools
A total of 14 incidents reported in all district schools between July and December.
By and large, Ridgewood students are well behaved, administrators concluded upon hearing the district's state-mandated violence and vandlism report Monday night.
Ridgewood High School Assistant Principal Basil Pizzuto presented the mid-year figures on documented behavioral issues reported in the 2012-2013 school year.
As part of the state's new anti-bullying bill, the state requires that the district tabulate instances of violence, vandalism, weapons, substance abuse, as well as harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB).
According to Pizutto, between July and December, one incident of violence was reported, two instances of vandalism, two weapons were brought, five substance abuse cases were documented and four cases of HIB.
"The numbers seem to be similar to what we have before," the administrator told the board.
Board members asked for more specifics on weapons brought as well as violence.
Per Pizzuto, the two weapons charges were students bringing pocket knives to school.
"It was not used as a weapon," he said. "That would be a bigger situation. They werent used for that purpose but they were brought into the school without permission."
Instances of violence, Pizzuto said, have not escalated beyond fist fights.
"Thankfully in my time we haven't had anything too violent."
HIB incidents were in line with last year's level.
milly
4:11 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Ha, load of crock. The admin at RHS discourages calling the police in on anything. I will tell you the school keeps the police out of everything whenever possible. I lived it when my child was a victim and Pizzuto didn't want the police called and said we will handle it by the admin. The real truth is that bags of drugs, stolen phones, underage drinking are all kept quiet, zero police is the policy; hence "reports" are down or the same, that's the key word.
RidgewoodResident
5:52 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Well underage drinking, off school grounds, and not during school events isn't the responsibility of and shouldn't be under the jurisdiction of the school administration.
Don't know how common "bags of drugs" are actually found on school grounds. The school isn't going to go searching through everybody's personal belongings.
I hope to see the instances of theft punished to the fullest degree, however.
paul smith
7:23 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Yeah, there are some problems that includes petty crimes and teenage drinking (horrors!) but in a HS the size if Ridgewood HS, things happen. Sorry about your child getting pinged but in the big picture, I'm comfortable with my kids going to RHS.
disgusted
8:09 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
If drugs are found on school property it's a legal obligation to notify the police AG guidelines. Why would a teacher or administrator risk his job? Same with a fire arm.
Kiko Arase
8:09 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Theft is rampant at RHS, particularly in the locker rooms (where, for good reason, there are no cameras). A teacher told me stealing is the #1 sports activity in the school. The kids have give up reporting theft because it so common place and the administration blames the students for "losing" things even when it's clear that items have been stolen. If the adminstration determines a kid lost it, they don't record it as a theft. At least the teachers acknowledge the theft problem.
JAFO
10:16 am on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
don't they lock their stuff?
Hilary Jones
12:32 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
This is so true. Having had 6 children go through RHS, I can vouch for the level of theft. My kids have had many things stolen at RHS over the years including: my son's bicycle, which he used to get to and from school, my daughter's Dartmouth Relays medal (one of her proudest possessions)--stolen right off of a class project and never found, numerous sweatpants, sports/running jackets. There was nothing to be done about any of this, other than reporting the bike theft to the RW PD, which we did. It was so disheartening every time one of these thefts occurred. Not everything can be locked up at all times. For example, when the kids on the track team run over to BF with their sweats on for practice, and then go out on the road, things must be left out and are easily stolen. I doubt whether any of these "petty" thefts are counted in the report!
Kiko Arase
12:32 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Yes, JAFO, there are still lockers in the locker rooms however, the kids can and do kick the bottom lockers in and steal things. Also, anything that is left unattended, even for a moment gets stolen. This year, I've heard of multiple cell phones, wallets, books, laptops, tablets, jackets, etc disappearing. \
And, as far as partying goes, the kids don't call it "RAVEWOOD" or "RAGEWOOD" for nothing.
RidgewoodResident
1:51 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Apparently the lockers can be broken into quite easily.
Rock
12:32 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Well, I wouldnt think theft would be included in a "Violence and Vandalism Report".
Perhaps there is a consolidated report that is done separately.
Kiko Arase
3:04 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
You are probably correct, Rock but I've never seen any report about theft for RHS. And, as I said, it's so commonplace, no one bothers to report it anyway. Anything not nailed down is fair game and the Adminstrators' will, many times, attribute it to a student losing the item (which is some cases is probably true). My child's gym locker was kicked in 3 times in 4 years resulting in the loss of several very nice sweatshirts. Other kids have had their lockers kicked in and lost phones, wallets, jewelry, etc.
RWDsRiches
10:38 pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013
I've never heard of or seen kicked in lockers and I went to RHS, not long ago. Don't leave your stuff out in the open.
Jeanette L
12:15 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Gym lockers are the number one place items are stolen. This has been going on for many years. I always told my kids not to bring valuables, like cell phones and Ipods, to their gym lockers. Also, one of my children saw drug dealing in the hallway once. Kids have gone to dances drunk and used to sneak it in water bottles. Don't know if they still do. And I have had friends report that kids were seen smoking pot on Beverly Road which is right near the high school and which security had to have seen. I believe they don't report it because it would tarnish RHS's reputation. And in this town, reputation is everything.
RWDsRiches
10:08 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
that is incorrect, i never once had anything stolen from my school locker and don't know anyone who did. If it is a problem it is because of a few bad kids. If you don't want your kids exposed to the world home school them. Otherwise, expect them to see drug deals, drunk people and smoked pot. The HORROR!
Kiko Arase
11:27 am on Thursday, February 28, 2013
Sorry RWDsRiches, kicking is gym lockers is an everyday occurrence at RHS. Just ask any gym teacher or coach. I recently spoke with an RHS coach who told me (and I quote) "Theft at RHS is the number one sporting activity". And how do you make the jump from the underreporting of theft in RHS to "home school your kids"?