Schools
Long Reach YouTube Videos Removed
Administrators say high school is no more violent than any other school.
Two videos showing students involved in questionable activities outside have been removed following at the school between an intruder and a student.
One video showed a boy spitting on one of the high school’s doors. Another video showed a dejected looking student with water dripping from his chin. Teens in the video say someone poured water on him; he stands still as a group of kids seem to accost him. A girl in the background says, “I feel so bad.”
A third video allegedly shot in a Long Reach classroom, which hasn't been removed, shows a boy and girl swearing at each other as a teacher unsuccessfully attempts to silence them.
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Violence and bullying at Long Reach came into focus after a 40-year-old Baltimore man at the high schoo in a viral video released on WorldStarHipHop.com last week. The man, Donnell Maurice Vannison, Tuesday.
Patii Caplan, spokeswoman for the Howard County Public School System, said there was no evidence to suggest that fighting or bullying at Long Reach is "any more prevalent" than at other high schools.
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Between 2008 and 2011, Long Reach suspended 106 students for attacks, threats or fights, according to statistics from the Maryland State Department of Education.
Six schools had more reports of these types of violent incidents than Long Reach. Reservoir High recorded 175, Hammond 162, Wilde Lake 136, Oakland Mills 127, 111, and Mount Hebron 109.
A Long Reach parent, who declined to be identified, said threats and bullying at Long Reach are often handled in ways that don’t result in suspension. The parent’s child left the school this year after a barrage of bullying, including multiple threats on social networks.
Sherry Llewellyn, spokeswoman for the Howard County Police Department, said police are currently working with administrators at Long Reach to investigate the bullying allegations after the parent notified police of the threats.
Caplan said the school can't restrict what students post on YouTube because it would violate their freedom of speech. She said fighting and bullying are societal issues.
"It's one of those things that takes a village," said Caplan. "This is a community issue. There's nothing we can do other than work with the students about personal behavior."
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