An incident involving a disruptive teen at Arlington High School this morning resulted in the use of pepper spray by police.

Interim High School Principal Mary Villano issued a letter to parents and guardians this afternoon regarding the incident, in which she describes attempts by school officials to calm a student’s “escalating” behavior.

“Unfortunately, the student’s behavior continued to escalate and additional police were called in to assist our [School Resource Officer],” Villano writes. “The police eventually subdued the student with the use of pepper spray and the student was removed from the building.”

The incident was controlled shortly thereafter, according to the statement.

Here is the full, unedited text of the statement:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I am writing to inform you about an incident that occurred at the high school this morning. An administrator and the School Resource Officer were called to a classroom to assist school staff in their attempts to respond to a student’s disruptive behavior. For safety reasons, the other students in the classroom were asked to leave the area. Unfortunately, the student’s behavior continued to escalate and additional police were called in to assist our SRO. The police eventually subdued the student with the use of pepper spray and the student was removed from the building. The situation is now under control. In the coming days, our guidance counselors and social workers will be available to offer support and meet with any students who might feel the need to discuss the incident.

Sincerely,

Mary Villano

Mary Villano, Interim Principal 

Arlington High School 
781-316-3591