With students in South Florida and across the country walking out of classrooms earlier today to call for change to the nation’s gun laws, Broward County’s school superintendent said the event provides a learning experience for the students.
Students near and far are walked out of their classrooms for 17 minutes beginning at 10 a.m., Wednesday, one month after a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Seventeen people were killed.
The walkout is expected to last 17 minutes, one minute for each shooting victim.
Broward Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie ssaid the event is “...a way for [students] to connect and provide relevance to all of the things they’ve learned, to bring about real action,” according to a report by 7 News.
Runcie sent a letter home to parents informing them that, while the department is not necessarily in favor of the walkout, staff will not interfere with the peaceful student-led protests. The letter also assured that school principals and staff will remain with students so that supervision is in place during the demonstration.
In his letter, Runcie also stated, “Such occasions are teachable moments during which students can demonstrate their First Amendment right to be heard.”
“We know that change in our society has always been led by our young people,” said Runcie. “I’m proud of them. I’m excited about it.”
Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho also sent a letter home to his students which read in part, “Should a student walkout or protest occur in one of our schools, it is the intent to allow the students to peacefully protest in compliance with School Board Policy 2240.”
While many schools support the walkout, several school districts across the country discouraged it. One district in Texas told their students that participation in the walkout would get them a three-day suspension.