The morning of Aug. 20 in Lincoln, CA, at Lincoln High School, a student got physically aggressive with the school staff in front of the entire school. Here is what we know. 

In a video posted on Reddit around seven or eight o’ clock this morning, a student is captured in the gym, standing just in front of the floor level of bleachers beside two faculty members. The student appears to be very worked up and emotional as he puts his hands on one of the staff members. He begins to push the staff, throwing their arms away and even smacking them in the face. They begin to drag him toward the gym lobby when an in-school-resource-officer steps in and picks up the student, throwing him to the ground in what’s called a “suplex”. 

Here at Norse Notes, we’re less worried about the specifics of the altercation. Who punched the teacher? Why was he upset? Did a prior incident occur between the two individuals that led to this moment? The more important question is: why do adolescents and high school students feel it acceptable to disrespect and in some cases, like this one, injure their superiors? And was the recorded resolution to his outburst necessary? Or was the officer out-of-line and abusing his power?

The American Psychological Association (APA) conducted a research survey spanning from 2020 to 2022; the height of the pandemic and after the pandemic restrictions were lifted. It was found that from a pool of 15,000 respondents, numbers jumped from 65% of respondents reporting verbal harassment or threatening behavior from a student pre- and during the Covid-19 pandemic to 80% post-Covid. When it came to physical violence from students, 42% of respondents reported it pre-Covid but 56% percent did post-Covid. 

There is a negative correlation between Covid-19 restrictions and verbal or physical violence in schools against educators. As the amount of Covid-19 restrictions in place go down, rates of verbally or physically violent behavior go up. Why is this?

Social and emotional development was significantly impaired during the Covid-19 pandemic. COVID-19 released teenagers into the world who were restricted from the opportunity to emotionally mature and deal with their feelings in a healthy way. There were also jarring mental health concerns that soared during and post-Covid Pandemic There were increased reports of anxiety, depression, and overall stress among adolescents who are now entering or finishing high school. These teenagers experienced great isolation for an extended period of time during crucial years for developmental processes. When jumping into an environment like high school, where students tend to be subordinate to their teachers and administrators, it can be difficult to adjust and hand over your perceived dominance to someone else.

Why is discipline important and why is it not working? As seen in the video, the resource officer fights violence with violence. But that comes after there was delayed intervention from the faculty members in the vicinity. It is discouraged for staff in schools to put their hands on a student, even if it is done with the intention of stopping violence from continuing. The teachers did end up trying to help but they will likely face disciplinary action for getting physical with the student. That is a notion widely celebrated across the country and it could be what is keeping students from being disciplined properly. 

There have also been very mixed reactions to the force that that police officer used to tame the rowdy student. The fellow students that were piled onto the bleachers stood up and cheered as the officer slammed the boy into the ground but some who only saw the incident online have other things to say. While some think that the kid deserved what was done to him and applaud the officer for his physical capabilities, others are saying that it was gross misuse and abuse of the officer’s power against a child. Did the aggressor have it coming? Or should the officer be held accountable for his aggression?

Always remember, if you see or hear of violence, aggression, or any inappropriate or unsafe behaviors on campus, tell an adult immediately. “See Something, Say Something.”