I consider us a pretty "normal" school, but usually pretty fortunate when it comes to parent volunteers, environment, etc. We have the normal frustrations, gossip, and conflicts - but usually nothing outrageous.
Yesterday was our annual and beloved "Breakfast with Santa". Basically it went well until near the end when two MOMS attending the event got into a verbal fight that escalated to where one did grab the other. The one called the police insisting the other be arrested for assault claiming she had tried to choke her. (I didn't see it, so don't know.)
Fortunately, it was near the end of the event and very few people saw much. When the Police came, they pretty much stayed outside and made both ladies go sit in the police car to take their statements. I guess it was as unobtrusive as such an tacky situation could be, and it could have been far worse. The police were there for about an hour. (I don't think they ended up arresting anyone.) There will, of course, be tons of gossip at school on Monday to fill in those who missed it first hand.
On the bright side, at least it wasn't a full fist fight right in the middle of the activities AND no PTO officers were directly involved.
These are supposedly "normal", middle class moms from a "nice" neighborhood. Both dress nicely and have office jobs. Apparently there's been long standing conflict between their two daughters which the mothers now actively share.
It was a horrible situation. We were all stunned. It escalated so quickly that the police were in charge, so there was nothing for the PTO or the school officials to do. Everyone was just horrified at these two women.
I just cannot believe how some people act! I'd have never believed we would see something like this at one of our elementary school events.
