Walkouts At HoCo Schools: Superintendent Gives Guidelines

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Two months after the deadly rampage at a high school in Parkland, Florida, students across the country, including in Howard County, plan to walk out of class on Friday. The event has been dubbed the "National Day of Action Against Gun Violence in Schools."

Students are encouraged to wear orange in a show of solidarity against gun violence in schools.

April 20 marks the 19th anniversary of the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. In that shooting, two students killed 12 of their peers and a teacher before killing themselves following a shootout with police.

Columbine also inspired the gunman at The Mall in Columbia, who killed two people and himself in 2014. In the months leading up to it, police said he showed "a particular fascination with the Columbine shooting," which he researched until the day before he opened fire at the Columbia mall on Jan. 24, 2014.

"The fear that our children may feel as a result of national violence in and around our schools makes me empathetic to their concerns and supportive of their efforts," Michael Martirano, interim superintendent of the Howard County Public School System, said in a statement about the upcoming event. (Read his letter in full at the bottom of the article.)

While Martirano said that he wants to support students, he also outlined the following expectations:

• Students must not leave campus.
• Events may last for up to one hour.

"I am aware that national efforts are calling on students to walkout of school at 10 a.m. and not return," Martirano said. "As part of my guidance to school administrators, I am expecting events not to exceed one hour. I believe this allows students sufficient time to hold an effective awareness event while avoiding significant disruptions to the school day. Students who leave campus or fail to return to class at the end of the allotted time will be considered absent."

Statement on April 20, 2018 Planned Student Walkouts

Interim Superintendent Michael Martirano on April 16, 2018 issued the following statement to students and families regarding planned students walkouts:

We are aware that many students plan to participate in school walkouts or other awareness activities on Friday, April 20 as part of a national effort. Like the first two events this spring, students are looking for ways to lift their voices to ensure safe school communities.

As Superintendent, my top priority is to establish safe learning environments and protect our children and staff in every school. The fear that our children may feel as a result of national violence in and around our schools makes me empathetic to their concerns and supportive of their efforts. I support their spirit to enact positive change and am proud of the responsible, civil approach that Howard County students have practiced through these events. Additionally, my responsibility as Superintendent requires me to take advantage of all available time for instruction so that our students are well prepared for the path that lays before them. Many students choose not to participate in planned events and we must ensure that their needs are met as well.

At the first two events, I saw students lift their voices in a respectful manner that had a very limited impact on the instructional day. Student leaders worked with school administrators to create an event that was led by students, but able to be supported by staff. I was proud of the collaborative way in which these events have been planned and the positive and respectful manner in which they have been fulfilled.

For these reasons, it is my expectation that any student-led events planned for Friday are done so in the same collaborative manner as previous events. With guidance and support, I am empowering my school administrators to make decisions in the best interest of their students and school community. We will not forbid students from participating in awareness activities as long as they are done so in a safe and responsible manner and with limited disruption to the academic day. This includes remaining on school campus and being respectful to the wishes and opinions of all students.

I am aware that national efforts are calling on students to walkout of school at 10 a.m. and not return. As part of my guidance to school administrators, I am expecting events not to exceed one hour. I believe this allows students sufficient time to hold an effective awareness event while avoiding significant disruptions to the school day. Students who leave campus or fail to return to class at the end of the allotted time will be considered absent. Community and media members will not be permitted to participate in any student events occurring on school campus.

I encourage students and families to remain involved in efforts to keep schools safe. I welcome you to work alongside me and my staff to ensure safe communities and I implore students to access the resources and supports available in our schools.

Parents, please take advantage of the resources available to speak with your children about traumatic events and encourage them to access student services or speak to a trusted adult in their school. I want to assure you that the school system holds the physical safety and social-emotional well-being of students and staff as its highest priority.

Thank you for your involvement and understanding of this important matter.

Photo courtesy of Jessica Strachan/Dearborn Patch.