Just need to get this off my chest...
It's not entirely true, that all the March 14th walkouts were student led. Here in our district, there was a great push, by staff and administration of local schools, for students to participate in the March 14th program, ( of some sort, as the middle school students were not having staff approved walkouts, but the high schools were, in emails we received, they made it very clear that the middle school staff had planned curriculum, for that day, that involved "school safety" and "Civil Disobedience" and any student that did not follow "the plan for that day" would be disciplined.
The superintendent waxed poetic about her pride, respect and support, for those students who were participating, but what about the kids who would rather not take part? Do they just suck? Is it not ok to feel like your still a kid, and you just don't know enough right now? Everyone is all caught up in this "National Movement" but some kid's were anxious and confused on March 14th. What about them? Should they be needing to worry about this at school? How they will viewed, if they don't fall in line?
My daughter is 12 ( 13 in April). Area schools rescheduled events for the 15th due to snow. On that day, at 9:15am, the following texts were exchanged between me, and my Daughter:
"Hey Mom"
"Hey pirate"
"I heard kids are doing a walk out today at 10 and the teachers don't know?
I don't want to get in trouble, or miss french class, so i won't go but I'm worried y'know"
"This is a free block btw. We were supposed to be in gym, but the gym was taken and is being used to support the florida school. the kids who are supposed to be in gym were sent to the library to chill"
"Pirate, where will you be, at exactly ten? (on a usual day I mean)."
"French"
"sounds very disorganized. I would suggest going to French class as usual then, and the teacher can probably let you know more about whats going on. It's ok Pirate. They really are making a huge thing out of a 17 minute event. Are you at the library now?"
"yeah we had a little teacher/student event first period but this walk out is supposed to be unplanned?!"
Long and short of it is, she went to class, no one walked out, and a very confusing and stressful day came to an end for my kid.
But WHY does my kid need to deal with this at school? She's 12. If she wants to grow up a bit before she takes on adult political responsibilities, I have her back!