Norwood HS Walkout Comes With Consequences: Superintendent

NORWOOD, MA — There wasn’t much from Norwood Superintendent Dave Thomson on the planned March 14 walkout as part of a national response to the Parkland, Florida shooting other than it’s happening and there will apparently be a small consequence.

Thomson briefly addressed the expected walkout during his report at the Feb. 28 school committee meeting. He said the school district will make sure students are safe during the walkout, but the district will not condone or conduct this event, or dissuade participation.

“Whoever decides to break the rules, it does come with consequences,” Thomson said. “This is a real-life lesson in civic engagement and if there is a civil walk out, an example of civil disobedience, because we are an educational institution, we’re going to approach it from this perspective.”

The Norwood Police Department has offered to provide officers if needed.

Thomson told Norwood Patch Friday that anyone who walks out will be given a registered absence.

"Students and families have been informed so they can make the most appropriate choice for their circumstances," Thomson said in an email.

If a student has a high absence rate, they could lose credit in a class, but Thomson noted that would be a rare situation.

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