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Neighbor News

Open Letter to Dr. Abrell

Reflecting on PSD202 Letter to Parents on Student Protests and Gun Violence

Jason Rausch, Neighbor

Dear Dr. Abrell,

I am writing to express my concern about your recent letter to PSD202 Parents. I think it is safe to say that the recent shootings in Florida have sparked debate about how we can best protect our schools. Your letter is right to point out that students across America are engaging in all manner of social activism to draw attention to gun violence.

My concern begins with your assertion that “there is an inherent safety risk for students, staff, and the district in tacitly allowing student walkouts.” I understand that under normal conditions endorsing walk outs is a not good district policy. However there is absolutely nothing normal about my son and daughter having to imagine being slaughtered in their school. Even writing this I worry how they must feel. And for years they have watched the adults in their life do nothing to stop the bloodshed. Perhaps ‘tacitly’ allowing walkouts poses problems. But I am concerned that a superintendent that is charged with daily safety of thousands of children does not have time over the course of a month to proactively plan for a student walkout that is meant not just to protect the students but our community as a whole. Could this seriously be your concern?

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As you can imagine my concerns with your comments do not end with the issue of ‘safety.’ You refer to the planned protest as “unfocused, undirected action.” This just doesn’t seem to square with reporting around this nationally organized protest. On Febrary 18, 2018 CNN reported, “The event is the brainchild of EMPOWER, the Woman’s March youth branch, and will take place exactly one month after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. It’s scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in every time zone and last for 17 minutes – one for each victim who lost their life in the massacre.” I was a part of both of the last two years’ national Woman’s Marches and they were far from unfocused. And with regard to safety, in a letter to the editor of the Washington Post dated January 23rd, 2017 the writer noted, “I just returned from the Woman’s March on Washington. As a veteran of protests since the 1960’s, I found this the most compassionate, thoughtful, passionate collection of people I’ve ever marched with.” Again, I feel compelled to point out that they are handing you the exact timing of the event so that you can ensure the safety of the event.Lastly and most important to college bound students is your threat of disciplinary action. You have sent your letter to ‘Parents’ and not to the children so desperate for adults to pay attention to the issue of gun violence. And in the letter you make clear your intent to punish students who peacefully protest the gun violence that is killing their cohorts. I can’t imagine you wished to convey such a lack of compassion with your words. Perhaps you think the kids will be penalized by colleges? This does not seem to be the case. On February 24, 2018 Reuters reported, “Dozens of U.S. colleges and universities, including at least three Ivy League schools, have said their application processes will not consider disciplinary action taken against high school students who protest last week’s massacre at a Florida School.” Our nation’s colleges and universities understand that these protests are not to be taken lightly. Is PSD202 on the correct side of this argument?Protest has been a hallmark of our democracy and all free countries around the world. As adults we are charged with the responsibility of guiding our children and helping them sort out right from wrong. We have a duty as adults and parents to stand with our children of our community when they cannot stand alone. I am deeply disappointed in your insistence that Plainfield stay on the sidelines of such an important national debate. The lives of our children hang in the balance.I urge you to reconsider your stance. I am available to discuss options to handle the protests and I can be on hand March 14th as needed. Together we can do better!Sincerely

Jason Rausch

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