While fighting is one way to resolve a conflict, it rarely results in a positive outcome. No matter the situation, hurting another person is not the best way to solve one's problems.
When students fight at school, everybody around it is put at risk of having negative consequences from it. First, the people who are fighting can become physically injured, as well as the people around them. Second, it can cause others to make bad decisions that lead to stronger consequences. Lastly, and perhaps the most important point, fighting leads to disruption of the learning environment.
Fortunately, compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, Warren Central has experienced what feels like a positive change regarding this issue. As students, we have not noticed as many fights as we have before. This could be due to new rules that have been implemented or even just improved preventative measures before the altercations happen.
Surprisingly, the data for suspensions due to fighting this year appears on track to be similar to numbers from years past. However, there may be an explanation for why the fighting problem seems improved while the numbers are still comparable to previous years. Administrators believe that this may be caused by a decrease in the number of students involved in large-group altercations and more students involved in altercations without a big group.
As fighting continues, administrators remind themselves that there is far more good happening than bad.
“At the end of the day, we always have had the vast majority of students that are making good choices and focusing on school instead of other detrimental behaviors,” Assistant Principal Matthew Dingman said.
Despite the numbers of suspensions being similar, many students still are feeling a positive difference in the school environment. Students who have been around the school for a while are feeling a good change from past years when it comes to fighting in school.
“I’ve noticed fighting has decreased from last year, and when fights do break out, they have been stopped faster than they have from the past years,” senior Ruben Hernandez said.
Both students and staff can be a part of this effort to help reduce the fighting. As people who are close to each other, we have to become aware of the signs of a problem arising. Warren Central counselor Trashan Clemons said there are some warning signs of which people should be aware.
“It starts to seem like they’re talking more with emotions than they are with logic,” Clemons said. “It’s almost like they aren’t talking to you, they’re talking [to] themself.”
Noticing these warning signs can save a lot of trouble for everybody involved. If people can take steps to isolate the person exhibiting these signs, the environment will become safer.
As the school year continues, we hope that this feeling of decreased fighting will increase and the school will continue to feel like a safer place. Even if the numbers are not what they should be, it is important that students and staff feel safe in the places where they are trying to educate themselves and others.