Line-jumping dispute leads to 3 Stow students being punched at Cedar Point, parent says

Yahoo

21-05-2025

A parent is asking Stow-Monroe Falls school officials to look into possible policy changes after her daughter was punched during a recent class trip to Cedar Point.
The parent, whose name is not being used because her daughter is a minor, told the school board May 19 that her child was on a Kimpton Middle School class trip to the Sandusky amusement park and waiting in line for a ride when the incident occurred.
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The parent said her daughter was one of three girls who were struck by another student from Shaker Heights Middle School on May 17.
The incident, the parent said, happened after a group of students from Shaker Heights cut in line earlier in the day and were confronted by her daughter and the two other Stow students.
The Shaker Heights students, the mother said, told the girls they were catching up with other classmates already in line.
A second encounter happened later when the two groups were in line for another ride at the park.
The mother said a Shaker student had told the girls they could cut in front of them on another ride after the earlier incident.
"(A) Shaker boy clocked three of our girls in the back of the head, causing them all to have concussions," the mother told the board.
She also said her daughter is being checked for more serious injuries.
"(My daughter) is scared and in pain, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally," the parent told the board. "We do not want this falling on deaf ears."
Sandusky Police Chief Jared Oliver said the incident involving the students is being investigated.
"The injuries reported to us were minor, if any at all," the chief said.
The police report of the incident was not readily available since it involves minors and identifiable information has to be redacted.
Cedar Point's Code of Conduct prohibits guests from saving spots in line or cutting in front of other guests or leaving a line for any reason. Violators may be asked to leave the park.
The parent wants Stow school officials to take a fresh look at its policies for class trips — like Cedar Point — where the number of students traveling far outnumber the chaperones and students are not directly supervised at all times.
"I am deeply concerned about the lack of adequate supervision that was provided to these 13 and 14-year-old students," she said. "From what I understand this situation could have absolutely been prevented.
"This has absolutely been a devastating development to our family and one that will have ongoing medical and emotional implications."
Requests for comment were left May 21 with Stow and Shaker Heights school officials.
This story may be updated.
Craig Webb can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: 3 Stow students punched over line-jumping dispute at Cedar Point