Unacceptable. Now, let’s work backward from that assessment about a recent incident involving The Trenton Ninth Grade Academy. Again. In another deplorable act of bad behavior, cowardice, bullying, and ugliness, a group of males allegedly kicked and pummeled a student Wednesday after the school day ended at the Perry St. learning institution. The victim, according to a police spokesperson, suffered bruises to his face and torso, plus, at least one broken tooth. A Trenton police detective took the boy’s statement at Capital Health East. Physical damage of these incidents proves easy to ascertain while measuring the extent of emotional trauma caused by such attacks demands a heavy lift. Being knocked down and beaten does not encourage victims to rise and shine for classes. In fact, incidents like this lead to truancy and adds to the number of students who dropout. If school officials fail in keeping students, teachers,  and faculty safe then education initiatives face significant challenges. Make no mistake about this latest incident at the Ninth Grade Academy— it’s an alleged assault that demands a thorough investigation. No desire exists here to place these students behind bars but it’s imperative officials remove them from this education facility. Period. No desire exists to suspend these students because most people know that exiles do next to nothing when forced out of school classrooms. For the sake of sanity and sensibility, it’s imperative troublemakers leave the building for extended periods in order for persons interested in learning to enjoy optimum opportunities for success. In June, 2022, mob mentality surfaced as five, six or more people beat a Ninth Grade Academy student on the last day of classes near Perry St. Video footage showed the grounded teen pinned against a chain-link fence as attackers kicked and punched him. In September, 2022 parents stormed The Ninth Grade Academy as a brawl developed. Adults reportedly faced off against security personnel and assaulted guards who needed rescue from city police. The parents came to the school in response to a Monday incident that involved a fight between students, according to a source with knowledge of the incident. Parents allegedly pushed their way into the school and toward the cafeteria, where they tried to confront students involved in the previous day’s fight. Three adults were arrested and two juveniles were detained. The Trenton Board of Education distributed correspondence regarding school violence following that episode. “We ask parents and guardians to encourage their children not to use violence to resolve conflicts……We are committed to eliminating these acts of violence within the educational environment and creating a safe space for teaching and learning. Our schools will not be a battlefield. Any student who chooses to engage in violent behavior will be permanently removed from the school setting.” L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at [email protected].