What National Walkout Day Will Look Like In Medford

MEDFORD, MA – Medford High School is one of over 100 Massachusetts schools expected to participate in a nationwide call to action March 14 in remembrance of the victims of the Parkland shooting. Administrators have a plan in place to "provide students with voice and empowerment, while safeguarding our school and our student’s well-being," Headmaster John Perella wrote in a letter to MPS community Monday.

High school students across the state are planning walkouts and heading up letter-writing campaigns in the hopes that it will lead to policy changes that prevent future school shootings. As National Walkout Day approaches, some school administrations are prepping to supervise student-led walkouts outside the safety of the school building and some are setting up alternative school assemblies in an effort to keep students safe while letting them exercise their right to protest. Across the country school districts are also working out whether they should punish students for leaving class.

Perella said administrators are working with student leaders, faculty and the Medford police and fire departments to provide a secure setting for students taking part in the walkout. At 10 a.m., students will have the option to remain in their advisory class for continued supervised discussion or participate in the walkout and 17 minutes of silence for the victims of the Parkland attack.

Students are then expected to return to their Advisory class at the end of the demonstration, where attendance will be re-taken. Those who do not return to school on Wednesday or walk out on any other day will face disciplinary action for leaving school grounds without permission, according to Perella. Students may be dismissed from school with a written request from a parent or guardian that morning, followed by a phone call by the central office for confirmation.

"We are working diligently with our entire school community to provide students with voice and
empowerment, while safeguarding our school and our student’s well-being to the best of our
ability," Perella wrote.

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