Hudson Valley Schools Participate In National Walkout Day

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Several schools around the Hudson Valley participated in the National School Walkout Friday, April 20, the 19th anniversary of the Columbine school shootin. Students walked out of their classes in solidarity for those who’ve been hurt or killed in school shootings.

According the website of the National School Walkout, there were more than 2,600 walkouts planned across the nation.

“We are walking out for those who lost their lives to gun violence, to talk about the real problems our country is facing and to find solutions to problems that our leaders have failed to address,” according to information posted on the website.

According to media reports, about 40 students at Spackenkill High School in Poughkeepsie left their classes at 10 a.m. and stayed out after 11:30 a.m., which meant they would face repercussions.

Principal Steven J. Malkischer set guidelines for the student walkout which said that he would allow them to participate in the protest from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on the football field, supervised by district personnel.

“At 11:30 a.m., I will direct students to return to the high school building and resume their regularly scheduled classes,” he said. “Students who do not follow that directive will be assigned a day of out of school suspension.”

The walkout at Sleepy Hollow High School was planned as not being sanctioned by the school’s administration, “so participate at your own risk,” the sign-up page said.

Indeed, a note sent to parents said that students who choose to leave classes without permission would be subject to disciplinary action.

One community member posted on Facebook that more than 100 students had walked out of Sleepy Hollow High School and had assembled at Patriots Park.

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Photo credit: Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo.