Norwich Free Academy Hosts School Safety Awareness Event

From Norwich Free Academy: Norwich Free Academy will hold an appropriate, meaningful, and safe campus event, March 14, for students to lend their voices with those of their peers throughout the nation to honor the victims of Parkland, FL, and to stand in opposition to school violence.

The event is primarily a memorial event planned by students for students. Participation is voluntary; everyone will have a choice. There will be no requirement to participate and no punishment for participating.

This event advances no specific political agenda or position. The Norwich Police Department has asked to join in this event, and students have welcomed their participation. They will stand with our students on March 14. Our collective goal is to come together as a unified community to make a statement about school safety. On Tuesday, Head of School David Klein and student representatives will address the student body via broadcast in homeroom. Students will talk about how and why they have represented their classmates to plan this event and explain the plan. On Wednesday, Campus Safety Department will oversee the logistics of the event. During period 2, students will be released by building to the Turf Field. Those students and adults who choose not to participate will report to designated areas by building.

On the field, students will walk together, allowing their action and solemnity to make a statement. At 10 a.m., student speakers will begin a program and students will gather at the center of the field. The names of the student victims who lost their lives in Parkland, FL, will be read, one by one, each by an NFA student who will deliver a brief biography of the Parkland peer. A bell will toll for each victim, and a final bell will signify the goal to end school violence. At the conclusion, students, faculty, and staff will return to their classrooms for notification to proceed to their next class. Until Friday, there will be a memorial in the Atrium. Students may leave a note, poster, or another small item to memorialize the victims. In the coming days and weeks, various clubs and organizations on campus will offer additional ways for students to express their voice and make a difference in the end school violence movement. As always, student services and guidance and school counseling department representatives will be available for student support as necessary.

Office of Communications & Public Affairs

One last note: This was originally planned as a "rain or shine" event. Rain is not snow. This
week's weather forecast may be problematic with accumulating snow possibly threatening the
use of the Turf Field. We have given our word to support our students, and we will do so.
However, we must also do what is safe and possible. Please be sure that if bad weather
necessitates changes of this plan, the student planning committee will be completely involved.

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