Schools across US brace for walkouts over gun violence
Posted: Updated:RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - As schools around the country brace for a series of student walkouts following the deadly shooting in Parkland, Florida, principals and superintendents are scrambling to perform a delicate balancing act: How to let thousands of students exercise their First Amendment rights while not disrupting school and not pulling administrators into the raging debate over gun control.
Some have taken a hard line, promising to suspend students who walk out, while others are using a softer approach, working with students to set up places on campus where they can remember the victims of the Florida shooting and express their views about school safety and gun control.
Since the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, demonstrations have sprung up on school campuses around the country. But the first large-scale, coordinated national demonstration is planned for March 14, when organizers of the Women's March have called for a 17-minute walkout, one minute for each of the 17 students and staff members killed in Florida.
National demonstrations are also planned for March 24, with a march on Washington, D.C.; and on April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado.
No matter how schools decide to deal with the demonstrations, students have been reassured by Harvard, Yale, MIT, the University of Connecticut, UCLA and dozens of other colleges and universities that their participation won't affect their chances of getting admitted.
But for middle-school and high-school administrators, figuring out how to allow the demonstrations during school hours has proven challenging. In some cases, it hasn't gone smoothly.
In Needville, Texas, near Houston, Superintendent Curtis Rhodes was castigated on social media after he warned that students who leave class would be suspended for three days, even if they get parental permission.
"SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON YOU," wrote one woman.
In Garretson, South Dakota, administrators canceled a student walkout planned for April 20 after a Facebook posting about the plan drew more than 300 negative comments from adults.
And in Arizona, dozens of students at Ingleside Middle School, near Phoenix, were given one-day suspensions after they left campus on Feb. 27.
Layla Defibaugh, an eighth-grade student at Ingleside, said she wanted to participate in the walkout, but didn't because of the threatened suspensions. She does plan to join the March 14 walkout, even it means getting suspended.
"It's important for me to speak my mind on this topic," she said. "At the end of the day, they shouldn't be able to punish us for exercising our First Amendment rights."
AASA, The School Superintendents Association, has fielded dozens of calls and emails from school administrators asking for advice, while the American Civil Liberties Union has received hundreds of inquiries from students about what their rights are and if they can be disciplined for participating in the protests.
The answer depends on each school's code of conduct and disciplinary policies. Generally, the ACLU has been advising students that because they are required to go to school by law, administrators can discipline them for unexcused absences. But the ACLU also told students in an online training video that administrators can't punish them more harshly because of the political nature of their demonstrations.
The superintendents association - which is supporting the April 20 walkout- has drafted a list of suggestions for school administrators, including holding a teach-in, a school-led walkout to a spot on campus, or a session on bullying.
"There are ways to engage and harness the students in civic engagement without compromising policies in place on attendance, participation and student safety," said Noelle Ellerson Ng, associate director for policy and advocacy.
Some schools have embraced the walkouts.
In Mooresville, Indiana, administrators met with 10 high-school student leaders to work out a plan. Mooresville High School Principal Brian Disney said the students plan to use the school's public address system to read short statements about mental illness, the importance of kindness and standing up against all school violence before inviting all students to gather in a school hallway for 17 minutes of silence.
In Anne Arundel County, Maryland, administrators are still talking with students about how they can participate without violating school rules.
"I think we all realize that for folks who are teenagers right now, this could well be a defining moment in their lives. We want to very much encourage and empower student voices. That said, it has to be done in ways that are safe and appropriate," said spokesman Bob Mosier.
Some schools are taking a middle ground, neither encouraging nor discouraging students from participating. In Henrico County, Virginia, near Richmond, administrators sent an email to parents saying they are not sanctioning the March 14 walkout, but feel obligated to manage the event because of its heavy promotion on social media. Middle-school principals asked parents to sign a Google document stating whether they give their children permission to participate. Schools plan to provide campus locations for the walkout.
In Somerville, Massachusetts, students say they won't stop after a single walkout. They've started a weekly movement they hope will keep public attention focused on school safety and put pressure on lawmakers to pass stricter gun control laws. The walkouts will be held every Wednesday, said Anika Nayak, 16, a student organizer.
"We're really just fed up with the lack of action that's been taken in our country," Nayak said.
"We don't think enough people are listening."
(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
Top StoriesMore>>
Police: Retired Suffolk lieutenant hit Nassau officer with car, fled
Police: Retired Suffolk lieutenant hit Nassau officer with car, fled
A retired Suffolk police lieutenant has been charged with striking a Nassau police officer with his car.A retired Suffolk police lieutenant has been charged with striking a Nassau police officer with his car.Food Fight: Tell us where you like to eat!
Food Fight: Tell us where you like to eat!
News 12 Long Island is holding a battle of the best eats around! So, tell us where you like to eat!News 12 Long Island is holding a battle of the best eats around! So, tell us where you like to eat!Woman claims sexual abuse by priest, cover-up by bishop
Woman claims sexual abuse by priest, cover-up by bishop
Janet Klinger, of Plainview, said she was abused in 1968.Janet Klinger, of Plainview, said she was abused in 1968.CO poisoning kills Suffolk man, sends wife to hospital
CO poisoning kills Suffolk man, sends wife to hospital
Carbon monoxide poisoning is being blamed for the death of a Suffolk man.Carbon monoxide poisoning is being blamed for the death of a Suffolk man.Eastport-South Manor senior tries to cap off legendary wrestling legacy
Eastport-South Manor senior tries to cap off legendary wrestling legacy
Adam Busiello's 294 wins are a Long Island record.Adam Busiello's 294 wins are a Long Island record.Schumer pushes for $70 million for MacArthur upgrades
Schumer pushes for $70 million for MacArthur upgrades
MacArthur Airport will receive $800,000 in state funds to build a new enclosed pedestrian walkway.MacArthur Airport will receive $800,000 in state funds to build a new enclosed pedestrian walkway.Prosecutor: Actor gave detailed instructions for fake attack
Prosecutor: Actor gave detailed instructions for fake attack
Police said Smollett planned the hoax because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career.Police said Smollett planned the hoax because he was unhappy with his salary and wanted to promote his career.Biologist says lake draining project is being done improperly
Biologist says lake draining project is being done improperly
An environmentalist is ramping up his fight with the Town of Brookhaven over a multimillion-dollar project to drain Lower Yaphank Lake.An environmentalist is ramping up his fight with the Town of Brookhaven over a multimillion-dollar project to drain Lower Yaphank Lake.Spurred by measles outbreak, FDA may make vaccines mandatory
Spurred by measles outbreak, FDA may make vaccines mandatory
The Food and Drug Administration may crack down on states that don't start requiring more schoolchildren to get vaccinated.The Food and Drug Administration may crack down on states that don't start requiring more schoolchildren to get vaccinated.Peter Tork, Monkees' lovable bass-guitar player, dead at 77
Peter Tork, Monkees' lovable bass-guitar player, dead at 77
Peter Tork, who rocketed to teen-idol fame in 1966 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, has died at 77.
Peter Tork, who rocketed to teen-idol fame in 1966 playing the lovably clueless bass guitarist in the made-for-television rock band The Monkees, has died at 77.
SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
National Love Your Pet Day Photos
National Love Your Pet Day Photos
Send us photos us photos of all of the pets you love!Send us photos us photos of all of the pets you love!Photos from Toy Fair 2019
Photos from Toy Fair 2019
The 116th annual North American International Toy Fair has begun.The 116th annual North American International Toy Fair has begun.2019 Jones Beach Summer Concert Lineup
2019 Jones Beach Summer Concert Lineup
Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater is rolling out a new concert lineup for 2019.
Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater is rolling out a new concert lineup for 2019.
Just Married on Long Island
Just Married on Long Island
News 12 Long Island wants to announce your wedding. Share your pictures and videos with News 12 Long Island viewers!
News 12 Long Island wants to announce your wedding. Share your pictures and videos with News 12 Long Island viewers!
Performers at The Paramount
Performers at The Paramount
Take a look at the performers coming to The Paramount in Huntington.
Take a look at the performers coming to The Paramount in Huntington.
Your Kids Corner Photos
Your Kids Corner Photos
Did you do something fun with your kids this weekend? Share your adventure with us!Did you do something fun with your kids this weekend? Share your adventure with us!What's Cooking Photos
What's Cooking Photos
Stephen Gallagher, of The Trattoria in St. James, shows News 12's Lily Stolzberg how to make corteccia pasta with roasted cauliflower and golden raisins and garlic bread crumbs.
Each week, News 12's Lily Stolzberg heads into the kitchen with a different chef to cook up some delicious meals.
Each week, News 12's Lily Stolzberg heads into the kitchen with a different chef to cook up some delicious meals.
Birthday Smiles
Birthday Smiles
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
It's a celebration! Is your or a loved one's birthday coming up? Let us know! Send us your photos and you could end up on air and News12.com!
Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show trots into New York
Westminster Kennel Club's annual dog show trots into New York
Photos from the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Piers 92/94 in February, 2019 in New York City.Photos from the 143rd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Piers 92/94 in February, 2019 in New York City.61st annual Grammy Awards
61st annual Grammy Awards
Photos from the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.Photos from the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.