Friday, March 9 Update - Since the Wednesday deadline passed, parents have contacted our schools to request permission for their students to participate in middle school walk-in activities or to pick up their elementary school student. To accommodate these requests, the original deadline noted below has been extended to the end of the school day on Tuesday, March 13.
March 2, 2018 - Email Message to all Parents/Guardians from Superintendent Laurie Heinz and Assistant Superintendent Lori Lopez
Dear Parents/Guardians:
The tragedy in Broward County, Florida last month and others on school campuses across the nation over the past several years are driving increased interest in student-led civic efforts, including the idea of school walkouts or other actions and observances. On March 14, the one-month anniversary of the most recent tragedy, Women’s March Youth EMPOWER has called for a 17-minute school walkout nationwide at 10 a.m. to honor the 17 victims and draw attention to school safety.
We are writing to share the District’s plans to maintain a secure and respectful learning environment for students and staff on March 14 appropriate for our students’ grade levels. Although PARCC testing will occur that week, students will not participate in testing on Wednesday, March 14.
Middle Schools - Grades 6-8
As citizens in a democracy, we are free to express our views and advocate for them. Our goal for March 14 is to create a safe setting where middle school students -- with parent permission -- may participate in a structured activity that allows their voices to be heard. District 64 will support the opportunity for peaceful assembly, and also be respectful of those who choose not to participate.
Rather than sponsoring a “walk-out” where students are outside the building and safety could become a concern, District 64 middle schools will host a “walk-in.” Students with parent permission will transition to the gym, multi-purpose room or Learning Resource Center. Students can choose to sit in respectful silence to honor the victims of school shootings, or choose to write a letter to our legislators expressing their views.
We recognize that families have varied opinions about these complex issues. Our goal as a school district is to provide students with “voice,” but not to coach them with what this “voice” is. If your child will be participating in this letter writing activity, please spend time at home discussing your family’s viewpoints so that your child is prepared for this event at school. If your child will be participating in the 17 minutes of respectful silence, please talk with your child about your behavior expectations and the solemnity of this event. Students who choose not to participate in the “walk-in” will continue with class activities.
To assist staff with planning and supervision, middle school students participating in the “walk-in” must have parent permission provided by WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018. Please use this Google form to provide permission for your child to participate. Students who do not have parent permission will continue with class activities.
Elementary Schools - Grades K-5
Because of their age and varied developmental levels, our elementary students will not be participating in any events at school. Parents who would like to have their elementary children participate in their own family-organized activity may choose to pick up their children from school for these 17 minutes (10:00-10:17 a.m.). If you choose to do this, we request that a written note be provided to your child’s teacher by Wednesday, March 7, 2018. Parents will be expected to follow the usual procedure to visit the school office to sign your child out from school, and to accompany your child back to the school office on his or her return to sign in.
The K-8 Second Step curriculum provided over the course of this school year supports students with developing skills for school success, self-regulation, and a sense of safety. An important part of this program is a focus on pro-social skills and empathy. In addition, we would like to share this parent resource from the National Association of School Psychologists for supporting students when traumatic events occur: Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers.
We believe that these plans offer every family the opportunity to select the level of civic engagement they would like their child to experience around these difficult issues, while ensuring that District 64 can maintain a safe and respectful learning environment for all at our schools on March 14.
Thank you for your continuing partnership.
For your children,
Dr. Laurie Heinz, Superintendent
Dr. Lori Lopez, Assistant Superintendent for Student Learning