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On March 14, 2018, the first of three planned school walkouts is scheduled to mark the one-month anniversary of the tragic school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. The organizers of the “National School Walkout” are calling for students to walk out of school for 17 minutes, one minute for each victim, to protest the “inaction” of some politicians and the resultant frustration of students across the country.
As educators, we know that oftentimes the lessons and conversations with the greatest impact on students does not emanate from textbooks or lesson plans. And this moment in time is a great opportunity for us to provide guidance to students on how they can be civically engaged and politically aware in a safe and constructive manner. It is also important that we seek opportunities to listen and understand, with respect and empathy, while helping our students develop their voice. The goal to listen, engage, and collaborate must be as prominent as the urge to discourage walkouts and protests.
Although the most recent school shooting has understandably prompted emotion and student engagement across our nation, as a district, we are encouraging students to remain on campus and in school during the scheduled walkouts. And our students need the support of their tremendous teachers during this pivotal time in the debate about school safety and with this in mind, we are calling on all staff to be present and fulfill their job duties, even if they also wish to demonstrate during the work day.
While there is a call to action to join walkouts, trusted educators can help students understand the many ways they can have their voices heard – from letter writing campaigns and meetings with political leaders to on-campus rallies to which they can invite elected officials.
As we endeavor to keep our students safe, please find below a few considerations.
Students Leaving Class Legally, students voluntarily electing to leave class/campus without authorization are truant and subject to the same consequences as any other truant student. It is, however, important to note that district students will not be punished for their participation in any of the upcoming walkouts (guidance around attendance coding of the students will be sent under a separate heading/email). It is also important to note that students with differing views might feel alienated or compelled to participate in a protest against their will if school officials (teachers, administrators, etc) are perceived as supporting the walkout. All staff must refrain from unduly influencing student participation and inadvertently creating environments which may exacerbate tensions. Teachers are encouraged to consider introducing discussions and developing strategies for dialogue about the walkouts in a purposeful and deliberate manner prior to the planned protests.
Staff Leaving Class All staff are expected to maintain their work routine unless special school day modifications have been made (will be announced by site administration). No district staff should leave class, school premises, and/or abandon their position and duties without authorization. It is also expected that teachers, if a
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walkout is imminent and unavoidable, stay behind to provide instruction to students who choose not to
participate, unless otherwise directed by school administration.
Generally, California law imposes a duty on school districts to carefully supervise students while they are on
school premises during the school day and districts may be held liable for injuries caused by the failure to
exercise such care. Staff are permitted to, and often do, accompany students when students leave school
premises for school-related activities, including field trips. However, absent authorization from a
supervisor, school staff generally may not leave campus to accompany students, even if the purpose is to
follow students who walk out of class to demonstrate.
Local Law Enforcement
Our partners in law enforcement have been placed on “high alert” and will respond as appropriate to
ensure student safety if large groups of students walk off/demonstrate off campus. Law enforcement will
attempt to safely escort (i.e., establish a safe route), maintain student safety, and remind students they
may face consequences for leaving school.
Connecting with Student Leaders
It is strongly encouraged that site leaders reach out to student leaders to discuss any plans for a walkout
and to suggest alternative ways to accommodate student interest in demonstrating. This dialogue should
result in a shared approach that is meaningful with productive strategies to ensure that student voices are
heard (yet remaining mindful of the educational process).
Notices to Parents
Gaining parent support is an effective way to ensure that student demonstrations remain orderly. Informed
parents can encourage their children not to leave school and to find ways to express their views on
campus. You may consider using our automated phone messaging system to notify parents that our schools
will be open on the day(s) designated for protest and that students are expected to attend classes.
Frontloading
it is recommended that schools designate time for classroom discussions prior to the planned walkouts.
Social Science teachers can offer a neutral viewpoint and historical description/discussion on the use of
protests and civil demonstrations throughout the history of this country. It is important that our students
are informed of the inherent issues, that they appropriately honor the Parkland students and understand
the rationale for the walkouts (even if they don’t agree with all the associated concerns). Available
resources can support lesson planning around social justice movements (protests and demonstrations)
which have impacted societies across the world.
Alternatives
As site administrators and school teacher/leaders, you know your respective communities best, so please
base your approach on what is constructive for your school. With this in mind, please consider the
following:
• Before/after school events (instead of walkout)
o Supervised after school access to auditoriums with reasonable time restrictions
o Other before/after school activities as appropriate
• Lunch activities (instead of walkout)
• A planned forum at the precise times when walkouts are planned
• Discussions with local or national politicians
• Letter writing and social media campaigns
• Free speech zone for student speeches
o While students’ freedom of speech is not absolute, courts have upheld school district
action limiting student speech in a few narrow circumstances (e.g., promoting illegal drug
use; obscene content)
o Schools can regulate vulgar, lewd, obscene, and offensive speech
o Must be cognizant that both sides of the issue(s) may be presented by various students
• Student debates (structured and moderated by staff)
• Classroom discussions on related topics led by school staff
• A designated protest area
o Schools can designate a safe and adequate space on campus for students to hold their
demonstration (mitigate off-campus risks and maintains student supervision)
o Could be a symbolic location at the school
o Students could be encouraged to sign cards to send to Parkland students or postcards to
forward to elected officials (could “march” to a location on campus to deliver the cards and
letters)
• On-site/campus forums for discussions (designate specific places for student meetings or speech)
• Modified schedules (with consideration given to “instructional minutes”)
o Please keep in mind that students may interpret walkouts differently if they are in class
versus Nutrition Break. If in-class, walkouts could be leaving class; if at Nutrition Break, a
walkout could be interpreted as leaving campus
It is recommended that the above activities occur either in classrooms or designated areas of the campus.
The assignment of these locations must be strategic and deliberate so as to maximize school and student
safety.
Final Considerations
If a walkout appears imminent, students should be offered a safe place on your campus (e.g., athletic fields,
courtyards, multipurpose rooms, gymnasiums, etc) to conduct their event. Administrators or identified staff
should accompany students and supervise them while remaining in contact with district administration and
local law enforcement, if needed. It is also important to note that “walkouts” can sometimes extend for
multiple days and scheduling a school-wide activity on the day following any planned walkout should be a
consideration. These activities could include celebrations, additional discussions, assemblies, pep rallies,
etc.
Finally, we want to keep all students safe and with this in mind, they should not leave campus to protest in
the streets or other potentially unsupervised locations.