June 11, 2004

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Classifieds

Publication Date: Friday, June 11, 2004

Food fight get out of hand, students arrested

A lunchtime incident at Foothill High School on Tuesday resulted in arrests, suspensions and possible expulsions for a number of students.

"We as a staff were disgusted," said Principal Kevin Johnson.

"I expect better from them," he said of the students who participated in what one called a "food fight out of control."

"Out of the events yesterday, we have many suspensions and will have more than a couple expulsion recommendations," Johnson said.

"Any students who participated in illegal acts were arrested," he said, adding that he could not elaborate on specifics involving the students, including the number who were suspended and arrested.

"School staff was able to track down 15 to 20 of the instigators according to the police report," said police Chief Tim Neal. "The incident occurred in the quad and cafeteria area, with a majority of the student body participating."

One 16-year-old female independent study student was cited for possession of alcohol and marijuana, Neal said. "School Resource Officer (Van) Rader arrested and released her on a citation," according to the report.

As Rader was responding to a report that a student was in the school gymnasium with a knife, the school's fire alarm sounded, Neal said. The Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department reported responding to a false fire alarm at the school at 1:51 p.m.

Additional police patrol units also responded to the false alarm. "It was determined the alarm pull was separate from the student with the knife report," said the police report.

Rader arrested a 16-year-old student for possession of a knife, described as 12-inches long, Neal said, although no threats were made to use the knife.

Of the food fight, Pleasanton Unified School District Public Information Officer Jerri Long said, "Any of those spotted hurling food received two-day suspensions." She said the number of suspensions was in the "double digits."

The lunchtime food brawl lasted about half an hour, said a high school senior who called the Weekly shortly after the incident, but asked that his name not be used.

School administrators stood by and watched the fracas, "grabbing" students who participated, the student said, adding that some were targeted for laughing or pretending to throw something.

"This is a first for Foothill - a first and a last," said Johnson, who described the melee as "two groups throwing things like food, water and Gatorade."

The two-day suspensions handed out are coupled with a 30-day suspension from school activities, including the school's graduation ceremony, Johnson said. Foothill's commencement is slated for tonight at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

A suspension for senior students means they cannot attend the ceremony, although they may still receive their high school diploma, he said.

"It's important for students to know when they make those decisions, there are consequences," Long said. "It's so important for all students to be reminded that these Community of Character rules apply throughout the school year."

Johnson stressed that students involved would be held accountable for their actions. "We don't want to punish them, but we will hold them accountable," he said. "We have zero tolerance for such activities."

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