|
3-13-18
Dear
Seahawk Families,
You
may have seen the communication from FCPS Superintendent Dr. Brabrand yesterday
about students potentially “walking out” at various FCPS schools. Empower, a
youth group connected to the Women’s March, has called for students to walk out
of school at 10:00am local time. National media are predicting that students
will leave class and walk outside for 17 minutes in memory of the 17 students
and staff members killed in Parkland, Florida, as well as to protest gun
violence.
The
national movement for a student walkout on March 14th happens during
our 3rd period class. Like any other school day, our teachers will
prepare various learning activities to engage students and we expect our
students to participate in their learning process. Should students leave class,
teachers will continue with their instruction to all students who remain in the
classroom. The decision of some students to participate in the walkout should
not hinder the teaching and learning happening in classrooms throughout our
building. Students do have
the right to participate in walkouts; however, if students leave in the middle of class, they will be marked as cutting
class (CUT).
South
Lakes is committed to providing all students a safe and positive environment
for all of our students to learn and grow. Should students choose to leave
their classrooms and assemble outside the building, school staff
(administration, security and teachers without students in class) will supervise
them as long as they stay on campus. There has been some question from parents about
whether they may check their student out to participate in the walkout so it is
excused. When a student is checked out
of school it is to leave school grounds for an approved reason. The checkout
process is not intended to have students be excused from portions of the school
day and remain on school grounds.
Our
school is committed to providing an environment where everyone is treated with
respect and encouraged to help others. Our teachers, administrators and
staff continue to reinforce a sense of positive school community and we ask for
your partnership in working with your child to discuss meaningful actions that
they can take to engage in their community.
Sincerely,
Kim
Retzer
Principal
|
