3 December 2012
SAFETY: Poly students start a food fight.
By Kate Weggeland, Staff Writer
On Thursday, November 8, Poly students initiated a food fight over political issues. Arguments over the social networking site Twitter created “a call for a massive food fight,” according to Jacquie Paul, a Riverside Unified School District spokesperson. Poly High School’s administration focused on student safety and protection of the students during the fight.
The administration searched those students who were suspected of being involved in the food fight. On Thursday, police officers and extra campus supervisors were brought onto campus to provide additional security. Police officers interviewed over 60 students presumed to have been affiliated with the fight. Food that was found in the possession of students was thrown out.
As a result of the intensification of the fight, the lunch period was shortened by ten minutes, and the passing period from fifth to sixth period shortened to three minutes. “Safety and security of Poly students is my main priority, and without a safe and secure campus, kids cannot learn, which is why the students are here to begin with,” Lou Mason, Poly’s Dean of Discipline, said.
“The food fight depicted how immature some people—my fellow students—can be. It not only showed a general disregard for school rules, but it also embarrassed the school and diminished the students’ pride for Poly,” Caitlyn Heredia (12) said.
On Friday, November 9, the Poly faculty brought more security with the addition of police officers and district office personnel.
“Students decided to cause a disruption on campus for fun. They need to reevaluate themselves because our school’s purpose is to educate the students. It took a very long time for Poly High School to earn a top notch reputation,” Brian Frost, the assistant principal, said.