There were multiple fights around lunchtime on April 30 at Oak Park and River Forest High School which resulted in the school being placed in a “hold,” where students and teachers stay in whatever classroom they are in, for 43 minutes. Oak Park police were called but once officers arrived they were told their services were no longer needed.
“The Oak Park Police Department was called to OPRF High School on the morning of April 30 for a large fight that resulted in school administrators placing the school on a lock down at the time,” said Dan Yopchick, Oak Park’s spokesperson, in an email. “Upon arrival, however, school administrators stated to OPPD that they did not want any police services and that the incident would be handled internally. No additional information was provided to OPPD.”
In messages to teachers and parents OPRF officials referred to what happened as a disturbance.
“The hold that was activated during 5th period was in response to several incidents that occurred in the South Cafeteria and Student Activities Center,” said the message that was sent to parents on April 30 by Olivia Schreiner, of the school’s communications team. The email was forwarded to Wednesday Journal. “There was a disturbance in the South Cafeteria during the 4th period. During the passing period, the incident flared again in the Student Activities Center causing us to initiate a hold.
“A separate and unrelated disturbance occurred during 5th period in the South Cafeteria while we were still working to manage the original incident. This prolonged the time of the hold significantly.”
Karin Sullivan, the school’s spokesperson, said 11 students were involved in the disturbances and that they will receive consequences aligned with the school’s Behavior Education Plan.