Walk-Out Guidelines

The District respects individual viewpoints and is committed to recognizing the First
Amendment rights of students. As an institution for learning, however, we must ensure
that students’ First Amendment Rights do not cause a substantial disruption to the
educational environment or create an unsafe situation for the participants. As such, the
following guidelines are recommended:

1. Administration should inform teachers and staff of the anticipated walkout,

including the reason for the walkout, and the time/place/manner of the walkout.

2. Principals and/or Building Administration should meet with Student Government

or other student groups to attempt to set protocols and plans to avoid conflict and
minimize disruptions.

a. Protocols should include establishing a safe place for students to walk to,
such as an outdoor field, courtyard, etc. Supervision of some form should
also be provided, and students should be instructed to remain on campus
at all times.
b. Students should be encouraged to use a lunch break for the walkout, and
staff should attempt to have students return to school during natural
breaks in schedule (e.g. transition between periods) as a buffer to return
to normalcy on campus.
c. Protocols should also include encouraging peaceful forms of
demonstration (moments of silence, chalk display, signs, etc.).

3. Administration should inform teachers, staff and students, where appropriate, that
instructional time will continue as planned (including testing, etc.) and school will
continue as normal.

4. Normal attendance policies and procedures should be followed.

5. Teachers should not participate in the walkout, nor should they obstruct students
from walking out. Teachers can encourage students to remain in class to continue
learning.

If you have any questions, please contact your Executive Director or Legal Services to obtain
clarification.