No Student Walkout At York High School

ELMHURST, IL – York High School students have decided against walking out in protest of how some of their classmates treated a student with a disability last week in a school restroom, according to a statement Thursday.

Elmhurst District 205's spokeswoman released a statement to the media that was identified as being from the "student leadership team."

"In lieu of a walkout, many of us believe that the best way to go about this is to focus on it from the inside out," the statement said. "The problem must be tackled at the source and prevented from ever happening again by coming together as a school and educating one another."

The student leaders said they were "deeply disappointed in our peers and frustrated in this situation."

They said they wanted to carry out direct solutions to promote belonging, equity and acceptance in the school and district.

"As students, we plan on using this as an opportunity to better educate ourselves and others on being tolerant and inclusive on a day-to-day basis," the statement said. "Not only being tolerant and inclusive but also having the courage to stand up for what is right."

The leaders said they wanted to show support through events such as Special Olympics. They also said they have made plans to fundraise to carry out educational assemblies at both York and local middle schools to encourage compassion in the most critical years of development.

"This issue is not about students vs. administration, or our image vs. the media, but rather all of us as a whole conquering this lack of respect, empathy and kindness," the leaders said.

Earlier this week, the district acknowledged "rumblings" of a student walkout to show support for the student with a disability.

In a video, it appeared that a number of boys bullied a student with a disability. But police later gave a more nuanced report.