As a group of parents from McManus Middle School in Linden, NJ, we are writing to express our concern about the safety of our children. We have noticed an increase in incidents of violence (fights) both inside and outside the school in recent weeks.

We understand that violence in schools is a very difficult problem, and it not only affects our school, but also our community.

“Our children watch, listen, and learn from adults.”

Every day we hear from our kids about events happening in the school's bathrooms and hallways, as well as a number of videos circulating about these incidents.

In the past few days, we have seen an increased presence of police officers, and yet incidents of violence among students continue. We are very worried and alarmed about the safety of our children, as we do not know how far this degree of violence among them could escalate. Therefore, we would like to know what other actions are being taken in this regard, and what sanctions are being imposed on the students involved in such acts.

We are aware of the tremendous effort of the teachers and staff, but it is important to establish clear and consistent policies regarding inappropriate behavior and violence. These policies must be supported by clear and fair sanctions for those who violate them. It is important that policies and sanctions be communicated clearly to students and their parents. Additionally, it is important to promote a positive and respectful school culture that promotes dialogue and conflict resolution in a peaceful manner. This could include mentoring programs, extracurricular activities, and opportunities for students to engage in projects that promote respect and empathy.

It is also important for students to have access to emotional and psychological support in school to help them process their experiences and emotions. This could include school counselors, psychologists, and other trained mental health professionals.

Finally, it is important to involve parents and the community in solving problems of violence in school. This could include regular meetings with parents and other community members to discuss the situation and seek effective solutions.

We thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and look forward to your response or report on this current situation.