High School Has Alternative to Student Walk-out

By Loriann Cody.

This article first appeared in The North Shore Leader.

Across the country high school students are making plans to take part in a ‘national student walk-out’ on Wednesday, March 14th, in support of the victims of the recent school shooting in Parkland Florida, and in protest against gun violence. The date is exactly one month after the tragedy at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School (which was on February 14th) and is set to take place at 10:00 AM and last for exactly 17 minutes (one minute for each life lost in that school shooting).

The Women’s March’s Youth EMPOWER group is organizing the national walkout, according to the group’s website, and is asking all students to leave the building at 10:00 AM for exactly 17 minutes.. 

At Oyster Bay High School, the administrators are offering students another way to protest, In an email from high school Principal Sharon Lasher that was posted on Facebook, the principal noted that the the school does not support the walkout, but does “strongly believe in supporting student voice while ensuring their safety.” The high school is offering a memorial service instead.

Beginning at 9:40 AM, teachers will bring students to the gymnasium for the memorial service, which will include vocal performances by the Chamber Singers, Choir and Chorus, as well as a performance by the Wind Ensemble. Several students have been asked to read poems and letters that were written in response to the tradegy and lives lost on February 14th. The readings will end at 10:00 AM, when students will have the opportunity to walk outside to the back field in silence, remaining silent until 10:17 AM. Students will then be escorted back to their normally scheduled 4th period.

Principal Lasher also notes that administrators have met with an officer from the Second Precinct, Nassau County Police Department, and with the district’s own retired law enforcement security personnel to ensure the safety of the event.Visitors, including the families of the students, will not be allowed to enter the building at any time during the memorial service so the administration can carefully monitor anyone who enters or exits the building.

Students who choose to walk out of the high school in any other manner will be subject to disciplinary consequences. Students must follow staff directives and may only express themselves in ways that are respectful and do not violate the School District’s Code of Conduct. Students who do not want to participate in the memorial service may stay in the library where they will be supervised.

The memorial service was generally met with parental approval. One parent I spoke with noted, “I totally agree with the principal and am proud of what the school has planned.”

Another parent had a different viewpoint, siting their child’s right to participate in the walkout is covered by the first amendment protection. “I’ll support my son if he decides to walk out, if he feels strongly that it is the right thing to do.”

Lasher ends her email saying how proud she is of the students at Oyster Bay High School for reaching out to share their concerns and offer support for the families in Florida. But the district is also committed to supporting students while keeping them safe and secure.