Everything You Need to Know about the DGN Walkout

Following the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting that left 17 students dead, students from across the nation have been sharing their contempt towards America's lack of gun control and the NRA as well as their shared fear of being the next victims in a school shooting. DGN students are no exception. Using social media and word-of-mouth many DGN students have agreed to participate in a school walkout, but students and community members alike still have questions about procedures and even the purpose of the walkout.

To remedy this confusion, Principal Janice Schwartz, Associate Principal for Staff and Students Kelly Zuerner, and Associate Principal for Operations and Technology Ken Sorensen hosted a meeting for a select group of students that will lead the walkout. These students have been asked to plan and manage the upcoming protest because teachers and administration, being civil servants, cannot openly take such a political stance.

In this meeting, it had been decided that the purpose of the march is to be a memorial for the 17 victims of the shooting. At 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14, students will leave their classrooms in complete silence. Although exits are not confirmed, it has been suggested the protesters leave the building through the Purple Gym’s lobby or through the West events entrance.

Feb. 22, superintendent Hank Thiele sent an email to District 99 students and families to explain District 99’s expectations for the March 14 student walkout.

“Students choosing to walk out of school during school hours will be encouraged to achieve their goals in the safest and least disruptive way, such as by congregating in a safe area, away from traffic,” Thiele said.

At the meeting, Schwartz herself expressed her concern about students being injured or drivers being distracted if students chose to march in front of the school next to Main St. So, it has been decided that protesters should congregate on Carsten’s Field. Student leaders are unsure of how they will respond if it rains the day of the walkout, but the walkout will occur no matter the weather.

On Carsten’s Field, students will stand in silence for 17 minutes to honor the victims. Student leader at the meeting offered to print out images of the victims. In addition, participants can bring their own posters. Student leaders are considering using the announcer’s box or a bullhorn to instruct protesters.

In addition to security and supervisors being stationed and school entrances and exits, the protest may also be supervised by the Downers Grove Police Department.

“When possible, we will coordinate with local law enforcement to assist in the monitoring of any protest in order to ensure student safety,” Thiele said in the aforementioned email.

“Once notified by the school district, the Police Department will patrol the area to help ensure a safe environment. Students are encouraged to congregate away from traffic and follow the school rules established by District 99,” Mike DeVries, the Downers Grove Police Department’s Deputy Chief of Operation, said.

Devries would not offer details about the number of police officers, the specific methods that the police department would use to protect students from traffic, or what the police will do if students refuse to follow the school rules established by District 99.

When asked the same questions, Jon Lyerly, DGN’s police officer, said the school has asked him to not give any input or comment regarding the possible upcoming protests.

Upon return, students will enter DGN through one entrance. The same procedure will be used for any returning unexcused student; security will use the tardy trackers to count the number of unexcused students. Students will not be searched upon re-entry unless they leave campus.

“Students choosing not to participate in a protest will remain in class with their teacher,” Thiele said.

DGN staff members will be instructed on what to do with their class during the walkout. Teachers are encouraged not to give their students tests or require any other assessments during the walkout. Students that do not wish to participate in the walkout but still want to support the cause are encouraged to wear orange as an homage to the Wear Orange campaign associated with National Gun Violence Day.

“Students will not be disciplined for engaging in an act of protest; however, walking out during school hours is a violation of the rules. Students are subject to consequences equal to the rules that are violated while protesting,” Thiele said.

Unless a protester is excused with a parent’s permission, those that are unexcused will face the same punishment for skipping class like any other day; students must serve a one-hour detention within a week of the offense. However, this is the punishment for a first time offender. Punishments will be more severe depending on how many unexcused absences a student has. If the students are disruptive to classes, the punishment will be greater. Those who chose to walk out and not return to school will be punished accordingly.

Some students are concerned that an unexcused absence may hurt their chances of getting into specific colleges, but many universities, such as the University of Florida, have stepped forward saying that they will not consider the unexcused absence as a negative during the admission process. In addition, the unexcused absence will not go on student transcripts and whether or not one participates in the walkout is confidential.

March 12, the Monday before the walkout, Schwartz will escort a group of students to Willowbrook High School for a student leadership and school safety forum sponsored by the West Suburban Conference. Civic leaders and legislators are invited to work with student participants to ensure that students are safe during walkouts.

“Through this forum, students will come together to share their thoughts on these national issues, leave with an action plan to take back to their school, and talk about best practices to let students express themselves, while still maintaining the educational environment and a focus on learning,” said a flyer for the event.

Another upcoming event is the March for Our Lives. The march will take place March 24 in Chicago and Washington D.C. Downers Grove will also host its own march. The march starts at 11 a.m. in the DGN parking lot, however, it is not a school sponsored event. The march will begin at 12 p.m. Protesters will march down Main St. until they reach the train tracks. All rallying must occur in the parking lot before the march and cannot happen at the end of the route downtown.

The walkout has been organized entirely by students. Some students have begun to spread the word using social media. For example, Instagram and Twitter accounts called @dgnwalkout have been created. The admins of the accounts remain anonymous. The purpose of the account is to inform students of any new developments.