Local schools preparing for student walkout set for Wednesday
Students from Yuma County and around the country are preparing for walkouts following the deadly Parkland school shooting last month.
Wednesday marks the one month to the day since the Florida school shooting.
Students are walking to support the survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, as well as call for gun legislation.
Students at several local high schools will be participating in the walkout, which will start at 10 a.m. and last for 17 minutes, a minute for each victim in the school shooting.
Administrations at local high schools have met with students who want to participate. They have worked with school officials by asking questions and preparing an agenda, or timeline, for the walkout.
When it comes to safety for the students, YUHSD Communication Director, Eric Patten, said schools aren’t concerned with the walkout due to open communication with students.
“There isn’t a lot of concern because the students who have really come to the administration on the campuses where we are expecting some participation in the walkout, they have really been responsible in terms of generating the conversation with leadership… and getting permission to stage their demonstration” Patten added.
On top of the discussions with students, Patten said that schools have also spoken with School Resource Officers and Yuma Police to ensure safety.
“We’ve met with YPD in person, as well as the SRO’s, all in one meeting to go over details so they’re aware. They’re going to cruise by, make sure everything is okay in that time frame that the demonstrations could be happening… we didn’t request any additional police presence,” Patten said.
For students concerned whether they should participate or not, citing potential consequences, Patten said that students should treat it like a normal day of school.
” You know anything they’d get in trouble with in a normal school day, those are the kinds of things that could have consequences tomorrow, but as far as participating in the walkout, no, the staff is looking at it as more of an educational opportunity. Not all students have to participate but the students that do participate are not going to be held accountable discipline wise as long as it’s a peaceful demonstration,” Patten added.
Patten confirms that Kofa, Cibola, and San Luis High Schools will be participating in some way. Gila Ridge High School will not hold a walkout, but wear the color orange to show support.
A reminder, YUHSD will be holding “Community Conversations” to discuss topics like student safety. The first meeting is set for March 20th, from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Kofa High School Auditorium. It will also serve as a meet-and-greet for new YUHSD Superintendent Gina Thompson.
