Hi, I'm writing in regards to the national walk out. I am currently a senior at Ellington High School and it's safe to say I have never been so disappointed in my school until today. Last week my principal sent out an email which said the following, "On Wednesday, March 14th, EHS plans to allow students who wish to participate in the school walkout to do so without consequence. This demonstration, which is focused on creating safe schools, is being organized by a group of EHS students. Students who choose to participate will leave whichever classroom they are in at the time of the event to participate. Students who choose not to participate will remain in class." Later that week it was decided that this would be held on the track, because some students prepared speeches for this event. Due to snow it was finally moved into the gym. A "walkout" in the gym... Pretty empowering, huh? Yeah, no. Out of respect of the victims/survivors of the Parkland shooting, who organized this event, many students decided that they would ignore the schools request to participate in this "walkout" in the gym, and go outside anyways. Well, the main office got wind of this and minutes before 10AM today my principal made an announcement to the school saying, anyone who wishes to participate must go to the gym and cannot walk outside due to "safety reasons", and if they did decide to walkout of the school there would be serious consequences. Many students were outraged by this and decided, in order to do this walkout justice, we would do what the victims of the Parkland shooting would have wanted us to do. Many students entered the foyer only to find teachers blocking the front door. We expressed to the teachers that this is our right as students to peacefully protest against something we are passionate about, and a group of 40-60 students, myself included, made it outside. When I walked outside I immediately felt empowered because I knew I was doing the right thing here. I was greeted by fellow students crying in frustration due to our voices being silenced by the school. It was completely heartbreaking. Later today my principal sent out another email about the walkout stating, "We are, however, disappointed in the response of a small group of students who chose to exit the building and not participate in the student-organized event." I'm not going to lie, seeing that was hurtful. To tell a group of students that sticking up for what they believe in is "disappointing". The students of Ellington High School are sick and tired of being silenced by our school. We're sick of being told our voices don't matter, that this isn't about politics, that we're wrong for doing what we believe is right. It's tiring to be constantly suppressed by faculty I'm forced to spend my time with 5 days a week. I am outraged at my schools behavior, and I have never been so ashamed to say I am a student at Ellington High School. I'm writing to you because I'm trying to raise awareness, and make a change. Please help me and the students of EHS. Thank you.
