A group of Melrose middle school students may face disciplinary action and potential police involvement following an incident in which they reenacted an episode of South Park called “Kick a Ginger,’’ according to a Melrose Public Schools statement.

“We are outraged by the behavior and poor decisions made by a group of students and we are concerned for both the victims and the aggressors for the impact that this will have them,’’ the statement said.

The seventh grade students from Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School were targeting their red-headed peers Friday morning by kicking them in the hallways and stairwells while students moved between classes. No staff or faculty witnessed students being kicked in the halls, but the administration became aware of the incidents when injured students went to the nurse, according to the statement.


The administration has been investigating the reports since the end of last week and have made sure that “students are safe and particular students are not involved with each other’’ while the investigations continue, according to the statement. School officials have spoken to victims, aggressors, and parents, but have yet to take any final action.

Disciplinary hearings will be held through the next week. The statement said that the behavior could be considered assault, and that the school would involve police if necessary.

“At the Melrose Public Schools we take the safety of all our students very seriously. We take many opportunities during the school year in assemblies, in small groups and in the classroom to teach our students to be kind and respectful to each other,’’ the statement said. “However, sometimes, children don’t always think through the effect of their actions on others. As educators we need to turn these incidents into teachable moments so that students learn from their actions and do no repeat them.’’

Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School’s Principal Brent Conway did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Read the full Melrose Public Schools statement here.