ST. LOUIS — Riverview Gardens High School has switched to a virtual learning day Wednesday and canceled its homecoming events after a series of fights broke out on campus Tuesday afternoon.
The Riverview Gardens School District said in a letter to parents and staff that the fights led to the school activating its shelter-in-place protocol, and officers from the St. Louis County and Riverview police departments were called in to help break up the fighting and keep the school safe.
According to the St. Louis County Police Department, two occurrences of fights happened on campus Tuesday. The first series of fights took place during school hours, and the second happened after school. The fights took place both inside and outside the school building.
Police said they made about 15 arrests total, and two students suffered minor injuries. All those arrested were referred to Family Courts.
In addition to switching to remote learning on Wednesday, the district said the "difficult decision" was made to cancel Saturday's football homecoming parade, pep rally and dance.
"While we understand that the decision to cancel these events may not be popular, protecting the safety of scholars, staff and the community is our top priority."
Saturday's game versus Jennings will still take place at the high school, but no one will be allowed to attend apart from players, coaches, officials and parents. The game will be streamed on the district's YouTube page.
All other schools in the Riverview Gardens School District will attend in-person classes as normal on Wednesday.
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