ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) -- Alexandria City High School (ACHS) said it would implement several changes in the new year after a series of student altercations led to classes being moved online abruptly last week. "When school resumes on January 6, 2025, we will use this opportunity to start fresh. In order to ensure that our students feel welcomed, supported and safe, additional Central Office staff will be present at both the King Street and Minnie Howard campuses," Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt wrote in a letter. In regard to addressing "disruptive and violent" student behavior, Kay-Wyatt said students would face immediate and significant consequences, including placement in a different educational setting or expulsion. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Alexandria high school cancels in-person classes due to ‘student altercations’ In some cases, she said students may face legal consequences. Such was the case for two students allegedly involved in the altercations last week. On Wednesday, School Resource Officers responded to reports of physical altercations in school hallways and the cafeteria at ACHS's King Street campus, resulting in injuries to students and staff. As a result, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said two students were charged with assault and battery. To further strengthen school safety and security, Kay-Wyatt said students should expect the following: Additional Security Personnel: We are adding additional School Security Officers (SSOs) at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) to provide extra coverage and support. Changes and Updates to Our Security Protocols: We are reviewing our current security protocols—including camera positioning, weapons abatement screening process, etc. If adjustments are needed, they will be made to support improved security. Hall Sweeps and Duty Stations: We will conduct increased hall sweeps at both campuses. Additionally, staff will be assigned duty stations in high-volume areas to maintain a visible, supportive presence. Elevated Lunch Supervision: Lunch blocks will have increased oversight, including the use of MINGA ID check-ins and control access to meal areas. Staggered Dismissal and Transition Process: The staggered dismissal process currently in place will continue, along with additional detention sessions during lunch and after school to hold students accountable for infractions. Staff Hallway Monitoring: Our staff has worked with the ACHS administration team and has agreed to contribute portions of their planning time to provide additional monitoring and support during high-traffic times, and as needed. Student Movement Compliance: There will be no tolerance for students that are found to not be in their assigned location, and disciplinary actions will be imposed. She noted that they would be working with the City of Alexandria to provide resources to students and their families, focusing on the underlying issues that lead to similar incidents. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ‘It was kind of scary’: 2 students charged, classes moved online after several fights at Alexandria City High School The following would also begin when students return from break: Review Disciplinary Process: We will review and improve our disciplinary process to ensure consistent, fair and standardized disciplinary practices across all campuses. This change will ensure that each disciplinary infraction leads to a clearly defined consequence. Per the School Board’s request, we have also begun reviewing relevant policies, specifically School Board Policy JGD/JGE Student Suspension/Expulsion. Targeted Family Meetings: We will expand our efforts to identify and meet with families of students who have academic, behavioral and attendance needs. Using the Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) framework, developing Individualized Learning Plans (ILPs) that focus on career and academic planning as part of all student reentry meetings, and connect families to comprehensive services in partnership with the City of Alexandria.  Behavioral Expectations and Clarity: When students return on January 6, 2025, we will reiterate behavioral expectations in multiple ways to ensure our students fully understand what is expected of them and the consequences for failing to meet those expectations. This will include assemblies and social-emotional learning lessons.  Frequent Check-Ins: We will determine meeting frequency with students and their families to consistently monitor progress, provide additional resources and ensure accountability. Focused Community Partnerships: We will seek the help of local organizations to provide additional enrichment activities—arts, sports, job training—and academic tutoring, either in-person or online. Implementation of Revised Cell Phone Regulation: The revised, adopted Student Use of Personal Mobile Devices Regulation IIBEA-R3 will go into effect after Winter Break.  Student Leadership Social Media Campaign: Student leaders will be engaged to promote a social media campaign that will stress the importance of positive behaviors and a safe and welcoming school environment. "This has become an inflection point—a moment to reflect, reset and strengthen our commitment to each other and to the core values that guide our work as educators and as a community. I firmly believe that if we come together—students, staff, families and community members—we will rise above these challenges and restore a calm, respectful and vibrant learning environment for all of our students where they feel valued, respected and ready to thrive," Kay-Wyatt stated. Kay-Wyatt spoke at a school board meeting last week, describing her intent to improve the safety measures at the high school. "We will be continuing our practice of providing fair hearings to our students, but imposing severe consequence for those students who exhibit such behaviors," she said. "I was really sad to see such intolerable behavior from our students. It is not reflective of this community that I have come to know and come to love." At the school board meeting, student representative Nixon Perez Orozco spoke about the desire to improve the safety within the school. "This is my personal opinion ... We don't feel safe at the school," he said.