Wild school fight could land Lynn woman in prison

LYNN – A disciplinary meeting turned violent at Lynn English High School earlier this month as the sister of a suspended student physically assaulted two teachers and threatened several others as hundreds of students passed through the hallways going to class.When all was said and done, the confrontation spilled out into the school parking lot before police arrested 20-year-old Noselie Petit-Frere along with her sister, 17-year-old Samenta Petit-Frere, and charged the pair with disturbing a public assembly. Because of her violent attack, the elder sister was also charged with two-counts of assault and battery on a public employee and one count of criminal trespassing.According to police and court documents, the sisters were called to the school on the morning of Jan. 11 to meet with Principal Andrew Fila and other members of the school’s staff about Samenta Petit-Frere’s impending suspension. The elder sister was in attendance to act as a guardian to the student, but did not show much poise when the punishment was handed down.When administrators informed the student that her suspension would be prolonged because of additional behavioral issues, the elder sister began to yell and verbally assault teachers inside the meeting room.As the conflict became more heated, both sisters moved into the hallway of the school, shouting racial slurs and profanities at teachers and school administrators as students passed on their way to class. At one point, the altercation became so dangerous that teachers began to restrain the two sisters, at which point police allege Noselie Petit-Frere “took a dive” on to the floor and began screaming as if she were in pain.Police reports say the elder sister then got up and began threatening to sue the school and continued shouting racial slurs and profanities. As teachers continued to try and subdue the flailing sister, she punched one male teacher in the groin and bit the hand of a female teacher.Police eventually placed the pair in handcuffs outside of the school, but the cuffs could not contain their vocal chords as they continued to shout slurs and threaten to sue the school for abuse.When the two were brought in to the police station, officers say there were no signs of injury to either party and Noselie Petit-Frere refused medical attention, but was still insisting she would sue the school.Fila said a hearing is planned to address the younger student’s status at the school, but no decision has been made on whether an expulsion is in the cards.Both sisters are due in Lynn District Court on Feb. 22 for an arraignment. If convicted on all charges, Noselie Petit-Frere could pay up to $5,000 in fines or face 30 months in prison.