14-04-2025
Lake Elmo assistant principal injured in fight between students
An assistant principal at Oak-Land Middle School in Lake Elmo was taken to the hospital on Friday afternoon after he was assaulted while trying to break up a fight between students during eighth-grade recess, officials said.
Assistant Principal Christopher Dunn, 44, was treated at a local hospital and released, officials said.
'An altercation took place between two students and then one of the students assaulted a staff member,' according to the report issued by the Washington County Sheriff's Office. 'I handcuffed the student and then investigated the incident.'
The incident, which caused a 25-minute modified lockdown at the school, remains under investigation, police said. It was reported around 12:10 p.m. Friday.
In a letter to families, Principal Ann Giardino wrote that 'a physical altercation took place between two students, requiring an immediate response from our administrative team and our School Resource Officer to safely de-escalate the situation.'
The school was placed in a 'hold' for 25 minutes 'to ensure the safety of all students and staff,' Giardino wrote. During a hold, students remain in their classrooms and instruction continues without interruption, according to Giardino.
A hold might be used if there is a medical emergency in the building or when school officials need to limit traffic in the hallways, according to the district's website. Students remain in their classrooms with doors locked, but classes continue as normal.
'Please know that the safety and well-being of everyone in our school community is always our top priority,' Giardino wrote.
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