District Offers Guidance For Students Joining National Walkouts

BEAVERTON, OR — A number of public demonstrations are scheduled to take place this week as students and teachers across the nation plan organized walkouts to protest and memorialize the shooting the occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Feb. 14.

Following the deaths of 17 people at the hands of yet another school shooter, teens and adults have joined together to call on U.S. congressmen and women to enact stricter gun control laws at the federal level, such as requiring universal background checks and altogether banning assault-style military rifles, like the AR-15.

Despite inaction from federal legislators in the month since the tragic shooting, businesses nationwide have taken it upon themselves to raise the age limit for purchasing firearms as well as removing assault rifles from their inventories. This action has been met with widespread criticism from both sides of the gun argument.

Locally, law enforcement and school districts are bracing for student demonstrations planned for March 14, March 24, and April 20.

The ENOUGH National School Walkout will be held at 10 a.m. March 14, exactly one month from the Florida shooting, and is expected to last 17 minutes — one minute for each life lost.

The Beaverton School District on Monday released a statement acknowledging the potential for student activity March 14 and beyond. The statement reads in part:

The Beaverton School District has provided guidance to staff to prepare for these events, with student and staff safety as the priority. It is important for all students to feel safe and supported. Staff have been directed to develop a supervision plan for students who choose to participate in student-initiated events, as well as students who choose not to participate.

School attendance will be taken before and after the events. Students may not leave campus and must follow school protocols. Should they choose otherwise, they will be unsupervised and unexcused. Instruction will continue during any walk-out events. Staff will not participate in walk-outs, except to provide supervision.

We understand parents may wish to show their support for students. We ask that you gather on sidewalks or public spaces, rather than on school property. If you choose to go on campus or enter the school building, you will be required to follow all visitor/volunteer check-in processes.

Nearly 50 different schools in the Portland metro region, from elementary to college, have announced some plan to participate in the day's events.

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