Treasure Valley Schools Offer Alternatives to National School Walkout
On Wednesday, March 14 at 10 a.m. local time, students across the country plan to walk out of class for 17 minutes to pay tribute to the victims of the Parkland shooting.
The protest, now named the National School Walkout, is also a call for lawmakers to work toward stricter gun control laws and increased school security to prevent future school shootings. Schools in the Treasure Valley recognize their student's right to peacefully protest and most districts are asking parents for verbal or written consent stating that their children have permission to miss class. Parents in the Treasure Valley are split on whether or not to grant that permission. Many say that's because they want to make sure their kids are participating for the right reasons, not because it's the "trendy" thing to do.
As for the adults, the Boise Education Association is asking teachers to NOT participate in the walkout but rather find something else for their students to engage in.
In Nampa, students at South Middle School can pick-up a badge to wear that contains the names of the 17 students and faculty who perished in the attack in Parkland, FL. To honor their memory, they're being encouraged to perform 17 random acts of kindness before the day is over.
Over at Kuna High School, the Kavemen have gotten together to plan an assembly. Completely student led, the assembly will honor the victims and give the young adults some face time with their local government and law enforcement officials.
Other schools may participate in a letter writing campaign to their representatives and senators during the 17 minute period or make an extra effort to introduce themselves to 17 people at their school that they may not have known prior to today.