Police are investigating an assault at State College Area High School. Here’s what we know
State College police are investigating an assault that occurred Tuesday morning at State College Area High School, which school administrators believe is connected to a photo with racist language and hate symbols that was being shared.
One student assaulted another student inside of the building before school started, Principal Laura Tobias wrote in a letter to parents.
“Please know that we do not tolerate violence in our school and will take appropriate steps regarding this matter,” Tobias wrote.
The letter encouraged students who had information about the assault to contact a State High principal.
The school referred the student assault to the State College Police Department through the school resource officer John Aston.
On Wednesday afternoon, Superintendent Bob O’Donnell and Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Curtis Johnson released more information about the assault and investigation, saying they are dealing with “two separate offenses that are connected.”
“Prior to the assault that occurred in the high school yesterday, which was captured on video, a student photo taken at the high school was also being shared,” O’Donnell and Curtis wrote. “The photo contained racist language and hate symbols.”
The school handbook requires a five-day out-of-school suspension for any type of harassment, including display of racial slurs or ethnic intimidation. Depending on the severity, the punishment could include additional disciplinary measures up to expulsion, O’Donnell and Curtis wrote.
The district learned Wednesday that some students had advanced knowledge of the assault, which the district was not informed of, according to the statement.
The high school administration and police will conduct separate investigations into the incidents.
All families do not usually receive letters about fights on school property but the school decided to notify all parents after receiving concerned emails asking about the incident, Chris Rosenblum, director of communication for the district, said.
This story was originally published February 2, 2022 at 3:01 PM.