Downtown Ridgefield Friday Afternoon Frolic for Middle School Students

For many years, it has been a rite of passage for East Ridge Middle School students to walk into town at week's end. On any given spring Friday afternoon, Main Street is buzzing with kids, many of whom frequent Deborah Ann's Sweet Shoppe for candy and ice cream, or sit outside of Planet Pizza with a slice. [Full disclosure: my kids did this]. 

Today, ERMS parents received a letter from the principal, Marty Fiedler who said, "At this time, you may want to reconsider permitting you child to go to town on Friday afternoons."

According to Fiedler, there have been complaints from community members and shop owners about the behavior of some of the students.  "There have been reports of the use of inappropriate language and disrespectful behavior towards adults. Students have refused to leave the children’s playground when asked by parents who are there with their young children.  There have also been reports of students littering in Ballard Park," he said.

Ridgefield Police have been notified and will be paroling the park. 

Here's a post we published last year titled "Friday Afternoon Middle School Frolic in Downtown Ridgefield".

Facebook is buzzing with comments of parents weighing in on the letter they received from Mr. Fiedler. Here are a few:

The kids have very few places they can go other than home, why take away even more of their freedom.
My son rarely goes into town but when he does he spends money at the ice cream shop or CVS, he does not litter, he is respectful.

~

Even though my kids are out of the school system I take exception at this. This town is our children's home. Deal with it! I've been sassed by lots of middle schoolers in town on a Friday. It's natural tribal behavior.

~

I am a bit shocked! My children are no longer in middle school but they always spent some $$ on pizza or ice cream and would often window shop then come home and ask us to take them back to buy that cool shirt or necklace. If children are being rude or disrespectful then of course they should be spoken to but I see nothing wrong with middle school age children going into town for a couple of hours on a Friday. I actually love to see them walking around.

Please read the letter below from Principal Fiedler.

---

Dear Families,

As the weather gets nicer, more students walk to town with their friends.  We are hearing from the community that there have been concerns about student behavior while in town.  There have been reports of the use of inappropriate language and disrespectful behavior towards adults.

Students have refused to leave the children’s playground when asked by parents who are there with their young children.  There have also been reports of students littering in Ballard Park.

We have been informed that police officers will be assigned to patrol the park.

We like to support local businesses but too many students just wander around town without making purchases.

I went on the Morning Show on Tuesday, and will go on again on Friday, to discuss these issues. At this time, you may want to reconsider permitting you child to go to town on Friday afternoons.

Sincerely,

Marty Fiedler