Clarkstown Prepares For Student Walkout Wednesday

NEW CITY, NY — For Clarkstown high school students participating in the 17-minute walkout at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 14 to honor the 17 victims of the school shooting in Parkland, FL, district officials have protocols in place.

Due to the heightened security at this event, the Clarkstown High School North and South campuses will be closed from 9:30 - 10:45 a.m., district officials said.

There are several organized marches planned for March 14 across the Hudson Valley. Each student body has different motivations to organize and their own way to proceed. Likewise, all school districts are not alike. Some districts, like New Rochelle, applauded students' desire to be a part of the political process, but decided that as the demonstration is not a sanctioned school event, students who miss a class will have the absence recorded as an unexcused absence, and students who arrive to school or class late will be marked late.

The National School Walkout In A Nutshell

On Wednesday, March 14, students, staff, and supporters will walk out of their schools at precisely 10 a.m. for approximately 17 minutes in honor of the 17 people who were shot and killed at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida earlier this year. The walkouts also serve as a protest against gun violence.

Who Organized Them?

School walkouts are typically organized locally, with student activist groups, concerned students, concerned parents or active members of the community putting the call out.

The marches were called for on the national level by Women's March Youth EMPOWER, which sought across-the-country marches to "protest Congress' inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods."

"Students and staff have the right to teach and learn in an environment free from the worry of being gunned down in their classrooms or on their way home from school," the event page said.

What's Happening In Clarkstown

A letter to parents has been posted on the district's website:

Dear Parents:
I am writing to you to provide information about the National School Walkout Day on March 14.
Once again, I share my sadness with you regarding the loss of 17 lives, students and adults, in the senseless, horrific tragedy that occurred in Parkland, Florida. As the nation grieves, the idea of a voluntary school walkout on March 14 continues and affords our District an opportunity to provide an educational experience for students.
As your Superintendent of Schools, the Clarkstown Central School District, in partnership with other Rockland County schools, will provide students the opportunity to express their opinions during a brief educational walkout event. Following the event the students will return to their classrooms. We will coordinate with the Clarkstown Police Department and our District security teams to ensure the details of the event are done in a safe, secure and protected manner in designated areas.
Moreover, allowing for a brief educational walkout event is connected to our District mission and our goal to promote and maintain a safe and secure environment. It is also consistent with the Project SAVE Law enacted by the New York State Legislature in 2000.
These voluntary events in our District will take place at North and South High Schools, Felix Festa Middle School, Birchwood School, and Rockland BOCES. Students choosing not to walk out will be respected, and supervised inside the school buildings.
Due to the mature themes associated with this event, students at the nine elementary schools will not have the opportunity to participate. Families are asked to speak with their elementary aged students as they see fit. If elementary parents need support on how to communicate with their children on this topic, please contact your building principal.
Secondary school principals will contact you by the end of next week to provide details. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Martin D. Cox
Superintendent of Schools

Image: Clarkstown Central School District Offices/ google maps