Some C.O. students, parents opposed walkout

Hundreds of Central Oregon students walked out of classes Wednesday to honor 17 victims of a Florida mass shooting a month ago and to call for actin to reduce gun violence — but not everyone supported it. Many parents also expressed anger with and opposition to the walkout.

Dozens of people commented on the NewsChannel 21 Facebook page or sent messages. They said they did not support the walkout and had either kept their children home from school or barred them from participating.

Jeremy Stowe is a father who was against the walkout because he says these conversations need to be happening at home.

“It would be most important for in-depth discussion with family members, people that are close to them, rather than putting their opinions out to the public. I don’t feel that a walkout gives the notion that something’s going to change,” Stowe said.

“Christina” said on Facebook, “I told my kids if they participated in walking out, they would be grounded. And if they believe in something, they should be proactive and productive.”

“Shantel” said, “They should have just bowed their head in silence respect for the dead. Not walked out for another political agenda.”

A mom called NewsChannel 21 to say she was angry that her daughter, who attends La Pine Middle School, joined the walkout, under the impression it was to honor the students who died in Florida. The mom was upset that the school hadn’t let parents know about the walkout.

And she wasn’t the only one who had thought the protest would be more about Parkland victims and less about the politics of gun violence.

Bend Senior High School sophomore Gabe Fischer said the walkout started as a way to honor those killed in school shootings.

“I don’t think rallies are the way to go. I think if it were more of a neutral topic, like ‘help Florida families,’ then most everybody would rally around it,” Fischer said. “But as more of these rallies happen, more and more division raises between the Democratic-based and Republican-based students.”

Fischer also expressed concern over the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

“We can’t take away all guns. I know that’s what a lot of people are hoping for and I just don’t think that’s really the way to go about it. It’s our Second Amendment, and it’s how I feel safe in my own home,” Fischer said.

Fisher said he believes in the Second Amendment’s right to own guns, but he also believes there should be more regulations on how guns are sold, including increasing the minimum age for purchases and having fewer semi-automatic guns on the market.

Redmond resident Kim Fritz doesn’t think the protests should have happened at schools during school hours.

“I don’t think the school should have pushed it all. I actually applaud the ones that said. ‘If you walk out of school and go on a protest, you’ll be suspended for three days,’ and I think that’s the right answer,” Fritz said.

“I really, truly believe it that I don’t want to be a taxpayer paying almost $3,000 a year on (property) taxes, which 20 percent of that goes to a school where they’re pushing those kind of agendas. They’re not there to push those kind of agendas, they are there to teach our kids,” she said.

Fritz said she understands school shootings are a problem. But she said she is a firm believer in the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. She said she doesn’t keep guns at home now, but grew up in a hunting family and raised children to learn how to use guns appropriately.

Bend-La Pine Schools said they neither condoned nor endorsed the walkouts, but had no plans on disciplining students who took part– unless it went beyond the 17 minutes.

A few other Facebook comments include one from “Marty,” who said, “I hope they all get reprimanded. None of these shootings have to do with gun control. If my kids participated they would be punished.”

And “Rocksanne” wrote, “So does this mean we need stricter laws on vending machines too, because those can be dangerous and kill too.”

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Here’s a message the Sisters school superintendent sent home to parents after Wednesday’s activities:

Today some of our students were involved in a student walk out in protest against gun violence and support of the tragic shooting deaths of 17 youth in Florida. As a district we decided to keep a normal day but were prepared that some students would walk out. We did not bring any additional attention to the matter because we did not want to misrepresent our intentions. Since this is the first time we’ve encountered this situation of such magnitude, we decided that if students choose to walk out and they’re respectful and orderly and do not disrupt the learning environment for others, they would not receive any disciplinary action.

What ended up happening is that it became a lesson in civics. The students were asked to know their “why.” They were asked to know the fundamental reason why they were walking out. Secondly, we asked them to know the consequences. Every action has some sort of reaction. This could be formal or informal, positive or negative consequences. Thirdly, we asked students to think about other methods that might be more productive to accomplish their goal. Sometimes civil disobedience is justifiable, but sometimes there are other ways to achieve the same goal.

With this in mind, one option that seems to fit well with our caring community is the “walk up” option. Several school communities have adopted the idea of a “walk up” not walk out. “The walk up movement asks students to reach out with friendliness and compassion to their more solitary peers,” writes Dwight Adams in his IndyStar article. By moving out of their comfort zones and helping their peers feel more welcome at school, we curb angry outbreaks by disconnected students.

I feel we have a strong school culture in Sisters. I would challenge us to continue to support the Outlaw Culture in more than being an activist on this one day. Reach out to a classmate that you might not typically talk with. Sit next to the person that sits in the corner of your class and engage them in a conversation. Have lunch with someone that is sitting alone or that is outside of your normal group.

I would echo the message of care and connect from our recent community meeting. This is what will keep the Outlaw Culture strong and safe. Regardless of your position on the National Walkout day, I ask all students, and staff to “walk up” as we move forward and continue to strengthen the Outlaw Culture.

In any event, I am proud of our Outlaws and how they handled themselves today. They were orderly, respectful and a proud group. I know it was a great lesson in civic responsibility. Lastly, we have a great learning environment that is built on strong relationships and our caring for each other. At the end of the day my most important request is that each of us treats each other with dignity and respect, regardless of differences of any kind.

Sincerely,

Curt Scholl

Superintendent, Sisters School District