Stories of Violence in Philly Schools
Friday, Jan 29, 2010 | Updated 1:45 PM EST
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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 12: A parent holds a flyer announcing a community meeting to discuss violence in their neighborhood outside Pierce Elementary School a day after a boy and crossing guard were shot outside the school February 12, 2004 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 9-year-old boy is in critical condition from a gunshot wound to the face after being caught in the crossfire of two rival groups. (Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)
In the wake of 26 Asian students attacked at a south Philly high school, stories of violence in more Philly schools were brought to the attention of the civil rights officials Thursday.
Philadelphia Commission of Human Relations hosted a meeting in South Philly so that teachers, parents and other concerned citizens could discuss how to solve the violence issue.
The meeting brought up stories about similar incidents at different schools throughout the Philly district. Among the stories of violent acts, was the account of a female student being attacked by 20 other students during an English class.
"After calling for security, there was nothing I could do other than stand by and watch," said English teacher Brynn Keller, who witnessed the attack, according to the Inquirer. "There is little keeping our students safe within our school's walls."
According to the Inquirer a mother wept at the meeting as she told the story about her son being attacked during school and not being notified by the district.
"The vice principal told me, 'We're going to handle this, but don't send your son to school tomorrow,' "Zorita Brown said according to the Inquirer . "His life is in jeopardy. It's not fair. He's in 10th grade. He deserves better."
Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel discussed at the meeting about how a territorial divide in neighborhoods has caused violence in the schools.
"You have a large number of youths in that area, a lot of poverty, and there are geographical factions that developed," Bethel said according to Inquirer. He later talked about how police were going to work aggressively with the school district to combat the violence.
The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations will hold 10 more meetings throughout the city and when they are done they will issue reports to the district.
Posted Friday, Jan 29, 2010 - 1:31 PM EST
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