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Guidance for March 14
3/12/2018Dear PPS families and staff,
On Wednesday, March 14, schools across the U.S. will participate in activities to honor the 17 students and educators who were killed during a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Here in the Portland Public Schools, Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero has shared with school leaders, students and families that he supports acknowledgement of this tragedy and encourages student-centered and developmentally appropriate school-wide activities, as well as classroom lessons and resource-sharing on the topic of safe, supportive and inclusive schools.
The district has received some questions from parents and others. Below is a brief Q and A to provide additional responses and clarification regarding March 14 guidelines for PPS.
Q: Will students be punished if they walk out?
A: Students will not be punished, but they will receive an unexcused absence if they leave school premises. Families and staff should understand that there are specific Board of Education policies on the topic of political activity or walkouts which must be observed.
Q: What if parents send a note allowing their student to participate in a walkout?
A: A note will not excuse a student to participate in activities off school premises.
Q: If students leave school property, will staff accompany them?
A: Depending on the number of students involved, principals might ask staff to accompany students to help ensure safety, but they cannot lead or actively participate in a march off campus. PPS leaders are collaborating with the Portland Police Bureau to support public safety concerns.
Q: Is the district condoning a walkout activity (such as an all-school gathering on the playground or a courtyard) if students don’t leave school property?
A: The district is encouraging schools to hold a visible all-school activities for 17 minutes, beginning approximately 10 a.m. or any other educational activity determined and planned at the school community level, and that observes our Board policies and guidelines.
Q: Do teachers need to stay in their classrooms, or can they leave for a 17-minute activity?
A: Schools are encouraged to participate, including teachers, given the “teachable moment” that exists to focus on a dialogue about the importance of safe schools, and to provide students with a respectful opportunity to express their personal thoughts.
Q: What if students do not wish to participate?
A: That wish will be honored, and there are provisions to ensure they would remain under school supervision.
Q: Are substitute teachers being trained on the guidelines for March 14?
A: Yes, principals are making sure all subs are informed of the guidelines.
Q: If students leave school property, will police help ensure safety?
A: District officials met with Portland Police Chief Danielle Outlaw and other law enforcement officials to discuss safety measures. The police will do what they can to respond to marches that leave school campuses, but we cannot guarantee that students who leave campus will be chaperoned.
Q: What are school leaders doing to determine what student actions might be planned?
A: We are asking school leaders to check with student leaders and submit to the central office the events planned at their schools so this information can be shared throughout the district.
Q: What can parents do to help?
A: Please discuss this important topic with your students and watch for messages from your school principal. We know from past events that students may choose to leave individually or as a group. Talk with your students about staying safe and staying in contact.
For more resources on how to discuss these topics, please see our web page, where we have gathered suggested lessons, board policies and other guidance.
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