National School Walkout: LWE Event 'Very Mature,' D210 Supt. Says

FRANKFORT, IL — Students throughout Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210 participated in the national school walkout Wednesday morning to honor the victims in last month's Parkland, Florida, shooting and to call for stronger gun laws. Although demonstrations involved marching outside at many schools around the country, the events at the district's three campuses remained indoors, with students walking out of classes but staying in the buildings. Media was restricted from these walkouts.

Supt. Scott Tingley, who oversaw the walkout at Lincoln-Way East High School in Frankfort, described the demonstration as "reasonable" and "very mature." About half of that high school's students particpated in the walkout, and it lasted less than 20 minutes (the national event was designed to run 17 minutes, a minute for each of the victims in the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School).

Walkouts also were held at Lincoln-Way Central and Lincoln-Way West high school. About 300 students participated in the walkout at Central, and around 800 were part of West's demonstration. National organizers had encouraged teachers and other school staff to join students in the walkouts, but District 210 faculty and administrators were asked to stay impartial during the event.

"Students have the right to free speech as long as it's not disruptive to the educational environment," Tingley told Patch on Wednesday after the walkouts, explaining why the district allowed the demonstrations. Other school systems in the Chicago area and around the country prohibited students from walking out and threatened to punish any who did.

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Like many schools nationally, District 210 has been navigating on-campus safety concerns in the wake of the Parkland shootings. Last week, a 16-year-old district student was arrested after he allegedly made threats about shooting up an unspecified Lincoln-Way school to another student. And Tuesday night, L-W East administrators addressed concerns over possible threats at that school.

"Last night, through social media, several rumors of an additional threat to Lincoln-Way East were posted," Principal Sharon Michalak wrote in a message to parents Wednesday. "We have been in contact with authorities and have been told no direct or credible threat has been made.

"The administration at Lincoln-Way East has not received any threats."

RELATED: LW Student Arrested For Alleged Threat To Shoot Up School: Cops

Tingley said educators face the challenge of not letting concerns over security and well-being of students and faculty overshadow the learning and teaching. Communication between staff and students is key, and he credits the district's "high-character students" with helping achieve this.

"I don't think this one incident [the walkout] is why we have high-character students [either]," said Tingley, pointing to the "body of work" of district students' past academic successes and othe achievements.

The walkout Wednesday won't be the only national event this month stemming from the Parkland shooting. March for Our Lives will host rallies Saturday, March 24, around the country, including Chicago's Grant Park. Go to the demonstration's website and Facebook page for more information.

Photo via Frankfort Park District