BPS Principals: We Do Not Sanction the Walkout

Boston, MA - Boston Public Schools formally weighed in on Tuesday's planned BPS Walkout this morning, instructing school officials and outlining consequences in a letter this morning.

"BPS does not sanction the walkout; please encourage students to stay in school," BPS' principal team wrote in a clarifying letter Tuesday.

• READ MORE: Boston Public School Students Plan Second Walkout for Tuesday
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More than 1,000 students are planning a system-wide walkout related to the schools' budget. They will amass at City Hall around 2 p.m.

The BPS letter Tuesday instructed teachers:

"Families will receive an automated phone message informing them of the missed classes. You do not need to send a message to families. While academic consequences for missed classes may be appropriate, no additional disciplinary consequences should be applied to students who walk out in a respectful and orderly manner."

Students who leave class will be marked as absent. Student activists, meanwhile, have been distributing literature outlining their rights and best ways to behave in this instance, asking students prevented from walking out to document whatever happens.

This marks the second mass walkout of BPS students, reacting to discussion of possible budget cuts and school consolidations.

Mayor Marty Walsh has condemned the walkout, blaming misinformation around the budget and alluding to outside, adult organizers behind the protest movement. Student leaders of the walkout dispute this characterization.

Walsh also criticized the timing, which coincides with state-mandated MCAS testing for sophomores.

The BPS letter Tuesday stressed the importance of the "high-stakes test," which is required for graduation.

"We request that you and your teachers create constructive opportunities for discussion on this issue," the letter said. "For example, you can provide opportunities for students to participate in budget presentations, open dialogues, writing letters to local leadership, and meeting in supervised safe, large open spaces on school grounds."

>> Top photo from students' March walkout by Alison Bauter, Patch staff