Wallingford Students Told Not To Walk Out In National Protest

WALLINGFORD, CT — High school students in Wallingford who walk out in next week’s planned national March 14 walkout will face disciplinary action, according to the Meriden Record-Journal. Wallingford school officials announced this week that they are not endorsing a walkout protest, which is being planned across the country as a call for stricter gun laws and to honor victims of gun violence in schools and neighborhoods.

The National School Walkout is planned for 10 a.m. on March 14. Event organizers say: "Women's March Youth EMPOWER is calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress' inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.”

The Record-Journal reports Wallingford school administrators notified parents of high school students in a letter that they are offering alternative activities on March 14 that allow “choice and voice while also recognizing that some may choose not to participate.” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Salvatore Menzo and other administrators also recently met with about 50 to 60 students from Lyman Hall and Sheehan to discuss the walkout, according to the Record-Journal.

On the middle school level, administrators sent a letter to parents saying they are planning for students to participate in Responsive Advisory classes with a focus of “Choose Kindness” on March 14. “Choose Kindness” has been a continuous theme at both Moran and Dag Hammarskjold middle schools this year.

“It is important to note that both middle schools are not endorsing a walkout protest,” administrators wrote in a letter to parents. “We want our students in school where we can keep them safe while facilitating their participation in the educational program. We believe the Responsive Advisory lesson will provide students with the outlet to express themselves as well as maintain the consistency of our school day. Additionally, support staff at both schools will be available, as always, to address students’ needs.”

Officials also said the planned events for March 14 will allow students to “achieve their goals in the safest and least disruptive manner and also allow students with differing views to be respected.”

Read the full Meriden Record-Journal story here.

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