NORMAL - Students settled back into class Thursday at Normal West Community High School following a disruption Wednesday caused by a fight and inflammatory graffiti.

Eight students were suspended as a result of the events - seven from a fight and one from a graffiti incident.

The situation started Wednesday morning with a fight between two female freshmen. As students arrived on school buses at 7:20 a.m., the two girls started a fight that resulted in five more students becoming involved, Unit 5 school Superintendent Gary Niehaus said.

"The entire administrative team and 14 faculty members became involved in the altercation to help settle students and others," Niehaus said.

Students not involved in the fight were directed to their homerooms at 7:50 p.m.

"This is certainly unusual at Normal West," Niehaus said. "There have been fights before, but nothing of this volume."

Principal Tom Eder met with the faculty Wednesday and spoke to students Thursday morning over the intercom about the incident, Niehaus said.

Seven students were questioned after the fight and ultimately suspended from school pending a further investigation and review of footage from video cameras, Niehaus said.

The Normal Police Department was notified immediately and a formal police report was filed with the McLean County state's attorney's office for a review of possible criminal charges.

Normal Assistant Police Chief Kirk Ijams said the fight largely involved students jumping in to help friends.

None of those involved in the fight can agree on its cause, he said.

One person may have injured a thumb, but no one was beaten to the point of needing hospitalization, he said.

Information is being shared between the school and the police, but each is conducting its own investigation, Niehaus said.

About four hours after the fight, "racially inflammatory graffiti" were found at 11:45 a.m. in a boy's restroom near the school cafeteria.

After viewing video camera recordings and questioning students, officials identified and questioned a male student about the graffiti. The student also was suspended from the school pending further investigation.

"We are asking for the cooperation of the parents and community members to keep the administrative team and counselors aware of issues that need to be watched and addressed at Normal Community West High School," Niehaus said in a statement. "Your assistance and cooperation as parents and community members is vital to making our school environment conductive to teaching and learning."

Eder sent a message by

e-mail and phone to parents and posted it on the school's Web site, http://www.unit5.org/ncwhs/.