Paul, Perhaps you should get your information correct before you start making unfounded accusations about schools and teachers.
First, the district, in anticipation of walkouts and protests, sent specific guidelines to ALL schools and teachers. These guidelines specifically laid out what could and could not be done in the event of a student walkout. The teachers could say NO but they can NOT restrain students if they do walk out of the classroom. Students, upon THEIR request, were given the opportunity to form a protest during their half hour lunch time. Many anticipated this, due to OTHER PARENTS AND SCHOOL activities which they learned about from older siblings and friends. Therefore, some had their own signs and participated. Others, as is always true with a protest or walkout, participated because it looked like "fun". Regardless, this WAS IN NO WAY planned nor was assistance provided by teachers or school officials. The only participation by the adults was to observe and provide a safety net in case of harassment or incident outside the ability of the students to handle. And this was only as long as they remained on school property! Second, I happened to be at the school right after students dispersed for the day. I found teachers greatly distressed that their students did walk out and they felt powerless to prevent them. Again, physical restraint is NOT nor should it be condoned in today's schools. There was an officer present had such restraint been necessary. Many teachers encouraged their students to remain in the classroom and a number of them took the time to allow students to talk about their feelings about the war as part of the class curriculum. Others have encouraged students to write how they felt - and those who participated in the walkout may face similar requirements. Some who did not return in the time allotted will also receive no credit for missed classwork. All students who exceeded the lunch time allotment, will have at least one half day of unexcused absence on their records - officially as this information will be sent to the District. This is per District guidelines. Students who left the school grounds will have additional actions taken as they are considered truant. Although warned, some still left the grounds and returned only to board buses for home. Finally, perhaps your children are too young, too old, or simply don't care, but I can tell you there are many, many students at the middle school level who have very strong feelings about the war. I certainly remember the air raid drills we had and I had no information to form an opinion since details weren't broadcast into my home for breakfast and dinner every day. Today's children have opinions and they have the guts - and the right - to be heard in a way I never did. Did I support my child's participation in the protest? First, I didn't know about it until afterwards. By then, I had heard the comments from teachers, the principal and other parents. Regardless of my feelings, I was proud that my son decided for himself how he felt about the war and participated because HE wanted to . . . it had absolutely nothing to do with my feelings nor with the teachers. Just because you are an adult, it doesn't mean your intellectual and moral judgements are right or supported. I hope my child always keeps the right and the wisdom to determine what he feels about an issue and I certainly hope he always has the right and opportunity to PEACEFULLY show others his perspective. Thank you Field School and the Minneapolis District for preparing our teachers to deal with the anticipated walkouts in an intelligent and non-combative manner while giving students the freedom to make their choice on how to show their feelings about war. Kathy Hacmac PTA Chair, Field School and active parent TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
