Montville HS Students Participating In School Walkout: WATCH

MONTVILLE, NJ — Montville High School students will be participating in a National School Walkout day event on Wednesday, Montville principal Douglas Sanford said in a letter sent home to parents. The walkout will be live streamed on the school district's Facebook page. (Watch below)

“The students articulated two clear, distinct reasons serving as motivation for their participation in a school Walk-Out. First, they wish to honor the victims of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Second, they wish to participate in an activist movement to protest gun violence and school shootings," Sanford said.

The protest was planned by students in collaboration with school officials, Sanford said, and the discussions included local law enforcement. As a safety precaution, the walkout will be held inside the school gym, although a small number of students are planning on going outside.

“Throughout my developing conversations with the students, my goals have remained the same,” said Sanford. “They are -- in order of importance: to keep the students safe, teach them about freedom of expression, and empower them to be responsible citizens.”

Those who choose to go outside will not face disciplinary actions so long as they are back inside by the bell, Sanford said. The schedule has been slightly modified to allow the protests to happen during lunch; participation is optional.

Montville police will be present at the protest as a precautionary measure, Sanford said. Visitors who are not on a pre-approved list will not be allowed inside the building between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Images submitted by Rene Rovtar, Montville superintendent