Johnston, R.I. – After two distinct student fights broke out during Friday’s lunch recess, Johnston Elementary School is taking immediate action to tighten supervision and restructure playtime. Superintendent Scott Sutherland announced the changes in a letter to families on Monday.
What happened
According to Sutherland, one incident occurred on the basketball court while another unfolded in the playground area. The fights happened at different times and were quickly broken up by staff. A student involved in the first incident was also part of a later disagreement later that same day.
District response
Sutherland and Assistant Superintendent Susan Craven visited the school, observed lunch and recess periods, and reviewed staffing practices. They met with administrators, the school’s guidance counselor, social worker, and families affected by the incidents. Video footage of the fights was shown to parents during meetings on Monday.
In his letter, Sutherland emphasized that while disagreements are a natural part of growing up, physical aggression is not acceptable. He assured families that district leadership is directly involved and that “meaningful steps are already being taken to strengthen student safety.”
New supervision model
The school currently assigns ten staff members to recess each day, including two assistant principals. Recess will now be divided into smaller groups within designated zones, allowing staff to monitor children more closely and respond quickly to any concerns.
The district is also reviewing supervision during transitions, lunch, and other less‑structured parts of the school day. Additional support from the school resource officers will be coordinated to address safety concerns.
Focus on conflict‑resolution
Beyond staffing changes, the school’s guidance counselor and social worker will expand programs that teach conflict‑resolution skills, emotional regulation, and positive peer relationships. These efforts aim to equip students with tools to handle disagreements without resorting to physical aggression.
Parents are encouraged to stay engaged with school officials and to share any concerns they may have. The district plans to continue communicating updates as the new supervision model is implemented.
Original reporting: NBC 10 WJAR (Sinclair) – local — read the source article.
