Student Walkouts

Students Prepared for Student Walkouts
Posted on 03/12/2018
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Showing solidarity with schools nationwide, some students at Carson High School (CHS) will voluntarily join together for “School Safety,” commemorating the one-month anniversary of the school shooting in Parkland, Fla., which claimed the lives of 17 people.

At 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, Carson High students may peacefully gather and “walkout” to the football field for a 17-minute rally in remembrance of the 17 individuals who lost their lives. During the “walkout,” those students who gather will write on a large poster: 17 plus reasons why their school should be safer. Students may exercise their rights not to participate if they desire.

“We felt it important as a district to turn this into a teaching opportunity and educate our young citizens on how to exercise their rights of free speech and assembly and peacefully be heard,” Superintendent Richard Stokes said. “We encourage all students to be actively engaged citizens who are knowledgeable of multiple viewpoints surrounding current events in the world today.”

Many students across the county will be protesting congressional inaction on gun violence at schools. This scheduled event, however, will focus more on school safety and how each individual can help, said Tasha Fuson, CHS principal.

“Our students really wanted to focus their efforts on positive ways to prevent or minimize a school shooting rather than just gathering a bunch of people to march and further frustrations,” Fuson said. “Some of the best resolutions are made in a reasonable fashion, considering several viewpoints, as opposed to emotionally charged decisions.”

Carson Middle School will also participate by observing 17 minutes of silence beginning at 10 a.m. on their campus. Similarly, Eagle Valley Middle School will be utilizing their Advisory classes at the beginning of the day Wednesday to have discussions on school safety, how they may support each other, listing any concerns students have and how they may work as a team (staff and students) to communicate and make everybody feel welcome and safe.