Parent calls on AAD Middle High school to reevaluate safety, security
Nov 01, 2024
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — After two students were charged following a fight at An Achievable Middle and High School in Newport News earlier this week, a parent is calling on the school to reevaluate safety and security for the building.
"For outsiders to come in, where it's supposed to be secure and my child's going to office so she could feel like she's safe or try to contact me because she's seen it and try to avoid it, and she still wasn't safe," said parent Danielle Kittles.
Newport News Police were called to the high school for a disorderly subject at 4:49 p.m. Tuesday. The police statement also stated a student from Heritage High School entered the building along with a parent, sister and another family member.
"I don't understand it," Kittles said. "But my thing is, I'm trying to figure out how they was able to get it and be able to get my child ... when she went into the office and she still got harmed, still got into a fight, and harmed and she's in the office, which shoulda been a safe haven for her."
Kittles said the issue could have been prevented and added that the school did not help her daughter.
"She done told teachers, administrators [and] even told a lot of people about the same child," Kittles said. "Nothing was being done, apparently. So instead of them doing something about it, or even bring[ing] all of us to a roundtable to see what the problem is, that was never done. They just suspend them, suspend them, bring them back.
"Stop brushing stuff underneath the rug. Listen to these children when they tell you people are messing with them because you never know the way mental health is these days. They just need to tighten up — tighten up and somebody do something. It's not right. It ain't right. It's not right. So they need to fix the problem, fix it quick so kids can feel safe going to school."
Following disciplinary actions, Kittles' daughter, who had applied to get into the school, meaning she won't be allowed back and will have to attend another school. 10 On Your Side reached out to the school this week on two occasions and have not heard back.
Newport News Police reports state there was a confrontation between all parties involved and they are continuing to investigate.