6 Lehigh County middle school students cited for drinking vodka at school
ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Six middle school students have been cited for drinking vodka in Lehigh County, which has seen a recent increase of unruly student behavior.
Allentown police say six girls, five of them 11 years old and the other only 12, were busted on Wednesday for drinking vodka inside the Trexler Middle School building.
The cops were called and so were the parents, one of whom admitted his little girl brought the booze from home.
Action News spoke with parents about their reaction to hearing about the incident.
"I think more parents need to be involved with watching over what their kids do and what's in their book bags," said Grace Morales.
"It's not the children, it's the parents that aren't involved in their children's lives," said Christine Bonner.
It's been a tough few weeks for Trexler and the entire school district of nearly 17,000 students.
Rowdy, disruptive and frequently violent students have been on a rampage.
Police were called to the same school to break up fights on Nov. 5, and four officers were hurt in disturbances at nearby William Allen High School on Oct. 29.
On Nov. 6, a 16-year-old student at Louis E. Dieruff High School allegedly pushed a teacher down some bleachers during a pep rally, and is facing charges in juvenile court.
Also on Wednesday, a charter school student allegedly punched a school bus driver, and police say nine Liberty High School students were charged with fighting.
A small group of parents and students took their concerns to board members during a regularly scheduled meeting Thursday night.
School district officials assured the community these are isolated incidents, and they are taking action.
Board president Robert Smith says the 16-year-old student at Louis E. Dieruff High School has been expelled for the year.
Students are frustrated, while parents say the district can only do so much.
"Parents need to be involved. That's the biggest thing," said David Hoffman of Allentown. "It all starts at home."
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
