Police Respond To Two Fights At Pennsbury High School, One Student Facing Charges

Two fights recently at Pennsbury High School required police to respond, and now one student is now facing criminal charges.

Several parents recently alerted LevittownNow.com to reports of fights of varying intensities at the high school that serves students from Falls Township, Lower Makefield Township, Tullytown Borough, and Yardley Borough.

In a letter to parents sent last week, the high school’s administrative team and Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said there have been an increasing number of fights and vandalism in the bathrooms.

A fight last Monday at the school led to a student from Falls Township’s Morrisville section being charged, Falls Township police Chief Nelson Whitney said.

Court records reviewed by this news organization stated the Falls Township student and another high schooler got into a scuffle in the hallway. A hall aid reported seeing the student who was later charged throw the first punch.

The fight was broken up by staff, and the student who was later charged admitted to police he threw the first punch, according to court papers.

The other student involved in the fight said the incident stemmed from an argument that started online, police said.

An investigator was able to obtain video of the fight.

The student who allegedly threw the first punch is facing charges of simple assault and harassment.

Further details on the second fight that led to police being called to the high school weren’t available.

Jennifer Neill, the district’s spokesperson, said staff are looking at adding additional security and cameras in the high school.

In administrators’ letter to parents last week, they said: “These behaviors are disturbing and negatively impacting the climate of our school for students and staff.  Just as concerning is the number of students who are watching and recording these behaviors rather than alerting a staff member.”

The high school increased staff in the area of bathrooms and is limiting access to bathrooms. Student bathroom sign-ins are planned for the future, the administrators said.

“It simply isn’t fair for our students and staff members, and we acknowledge it will be an inconvenience for some. However, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all,” they added.

LevittownNow.com was provided a link by a parent showing a “Pennsbury.Rumbles 2.0” Instagram account that purported to show images and videos of altercations at Pennsbury schools. The page has been deleted within the past week.

It was not clear if the page displayed any of the recent fights that administrators were referring to in their letter.

Below is the full letter to high school parents:

Dear PHS Families,

We are facing concerning behaviors by some of our high school students. Specifically, we are seeing an increase in fights and vandalism in our bathrooms. These behaviors are disturbing and negatively impacting the climate of our school for students and staff.  Just as concerning is the number of students who are watching and recording these behaviors rather than alerting a staff member.

Effective immediately, the administrative team will be taking additional steps to ensure the safety of all students.  These steps include more visibility in the vicinity of the bathrooms by the administration and increased communication about behavior expectations.  We will begin to limit restroom access. Students can also expect bathroom sign-in procedures to be incorporated in the near future.

It is important to remember that the vast majority of our students work hard to create a positive climate, and we have a number of programs to support students who are struggling. It simply isn’t fair for our students and staff members, and we acknowledge it will be an inconvenience for some. However, we believe this is the best course of action to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for all.  We need your assistance to reinforce the importance of adhering our school’s expected behaviors. 

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to working together to ensure that all students have a positive experience at Pennsbury High School.

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