Walkout at MHS

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly poor judgment for the school to allow such protests the same week as the memorials for the terrorist attack on October 7. Really, what is going on over there at Mclean.

It wouldn’t matter to you. You would object to any demonstrations of student support for Palestinians or Lebanese under siege.

Good for McLean to let the students exercise their First Amendment rights and good for the students to choose a day other than October 7th to do so here.

Nonsense. They can protest any silliness they want, on their own time. If they want to skip class for any reason, they should suffer the normal consequences.

You don’t get a grade for a 30-minute study hall.

Its skipping class. Whats the punishment for that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly poor judgment for the school to allow such protests the same week as the memorials for the terrorist attack on October 7. Really, what is going on over there at Mclean.

It wouldn’t matter to you. You would object to any demonstrations of student support for Palestinians or Lebanese under siege.

Good for McLean to let the students exercise their First Amendment rights and good for the students to choose a day other than October 7th to do so here.

Nonsense. They can protest any silliness they want, on their own time. If they want to skip class for any reason, they should suffer the normal consequences.

You don’t get a grade for a 30-minute study hall.

It’s skipping class. Whats the punishment for that?

It’s not a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly poor judgment for the school to allow such protests the same week as the memorials for the terrorist attack on October 7. Really, what is going on over there at Mclean.

It wouldn’t matter to you. You would object to any demonstrations of student support for Palestinians or Lebanese under siege.

Good for McLean to let the students exercise their First Amendment rights and good for the students to choose a day other than October 7th to do so here.

Nonsense. They can protest any silliness they want, on their own time. If they want to skip class for any reason, they should suffer the normal consequences.

You don’t get a grade for a 30-minute study hall.

It’s skipping class. Whats the punishment for that?

It’s not a class.

In the normal course of things, are students allowed to skip study hall?

[Anonymous]

Its a class. Its on their schedule. They do things in that class (SEL surveys, presentations) etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its a class. Its on their schedule. They do things in that class (SEL surveys, presentations) etc.

It’s on the schedule but it’s not a class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Its a class. Its on their schedule. They do things in that class (SEL surveys, presentations) etc.

The give them 0s for the class that doesn't have a grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why don't they put the info in the email? I can imagine what the walk out is for, but I thought the new rule was they can join protests in DC since so many people violated guidelines at the local high schools.

Here is the email I received from McLean HS:

“Dear McLean Community:

We have been made aware that some students are organizing a walkout tomorrow during Highlander Time 4. Students have been provided with guidance to help ensure a safe and peaceful event. Please note that FCPS does not oppose, nor endorse, any of the calls to action.

FCPS respects the rights of our students to engage in peaceful protest and express their opinions through speech and other ways as long as it is done respectfully, does not interfere with the rights of others, and does not disrupt learning in the school. We remind all students who may choose to participate in the walkout to be respectful of their classmates who are engaged in learning activities during Highlander Time.

While respecting our students’ rights, we must also ensure our school is a safe space for every student. FCPS denounces all acts of antisemitism, islamophobia, and hatred in any form. Students engaging in discriminatory harassment or hate speech will be disciplined in accordance with the FCPS SR&R.
“

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't they put the info in the email? I can imagine what the walk out is for, but I thought the new rule was they can join protests in DC since so many people violated guidelines at the local high schools.

Here is the email I received from McLean HS:

“Dear McLean Community:

We have been made aware that some students are organizing a walkout tomorrow during Highlander Time 4. Students have been provided with guidance to help ensure a safe and peaceful event. Please note that FCPS does not oppose, nor endorse, any of the calls to action.

FCPS respects the rights of our students to engage in peaceful protest and express their opinions through speech and other ways as long as it is done respectfully, does not interfere with the rights of others, and does not disrupt learning in the school. We remind all students who may choose to participate in the walkout to be respectful of their classmates who are engaged in learning activities during Highlander Time.

While respecting our students’ rights, we must also ensure our school is a safe space for every student. FCPS denounces all acts of antisemitism, islamophobia, and hatred in any form. Students engaging in discriminatory harassment or hate speech will be disciplined in accordance with the FCPS SR&R.
“

Yes, the email did NOT make clear the reason for the protest. I support the right of youngsters to protest, but given what is happening at these protests around the country, we need to move it off campus to protect the learning rights of all students. Take an excused absence and join a protest in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly poor judgment for the school to allow such protests the same week as the memorials for the terrorist attack on October 7. Really, what is going on over there at Mclean.

Before you post this again,Please look up the FCPS policy. It is completely out of the hands of each individual school. The policy is at the county school system level. A principal cannot deny students attending 1 peaceful protest per year. Contact superintendent office to voice your concern to do away with this policy. Kids can protest during non school hours/weekends. No need for this policy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mark them absent and give everyone who participated a zero for the day.

You can't do that. It is allowed by FCPS, but I can't find the specifics. The problem is when the messages and posters push the limits from free speech to hate speech/rhetoric and/or propaganda. I thought it was great when they had a bus for people to go protest in DC. Why not make that the norm? Give an excused absence and let the DC police decide if anything crosses the line. Let the paid protesters go there as well and keep our schools completely safe for learning.

Sometimes the students walk across the street and use a sidewalk which is not on school property to protest.

Nothing the school can do about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why don't they put the info in the email? I can imagine what the walk out is for, but I thought the new rule was they can join protests in DC since so many people violated guidelines at the local high schools.

Here is the email I received from McLean HS:

“Dear McLean Community:

We have been made aware that some students are organizing a walkout tomorrow during Highlander Time 4. Students have been provided with guidance to help ensure a safe and peaceful event. Please note that FCPS does not oppose, nor endorse, any of the calls to action.

FCPS respects the rights of our students to engage in peaceful protest and express their opinions through speech and other ways as long as it is done respectfully, does not interfere with the rights of others, and does not disrupt learning in the school. We remind all students who may choose to participate in the walkout to be respectful of their classmates who are engaged in learning activities during Highlander Time.

While respecting our students’ rights, we must also ensure our school is a safe space for every student. FCPS denounces all acts of antisemitism, islamophobia, and hatred in any form. Students engaging in discriminatory harassment or hate speech will be disciplined in accordance with the FCPS SR&R.
“

Yes, the email did NOT make clear the reason for the protest. I support the right of youngsters to protest, but given what is happening at these protests around the country, we need to move it off campus to protect the learning rights of all students. Take an excused absence and join a protest in DC.

I think students are safer stepping outside the classrooms for a few minutes than trekking down to DC so I think the way McLean and by extension FCPS handles these situations is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Incredibly poor judgment for the school to allow such protests the same week as the memorials for the terrorist attack on October 7. Really, what is going on over there at Mclean.

Before you post this again,Please look up the FCPS policy. It is completely out of the hands of each individual school. The policy is at the county school system level. A principal cannot deny students attending 1 peaceful protest per year. Contact superintendent office to voice your concern to do away with this policy. Kids can protest during non school hours/weekends. No need for this policy

FCPS wants engaged students and students to be “global citizens.” They probably thought it would just be students protesting against climate change when they adopted the policy. They didn’t anticipate Israel would kill tens of thousands of Palestinians, including many children, and that the diverse student bodies at FCPS schools might find that also deserving of recognition.

[Anonymous]

Based on what is happening around the world at these "protests" there is no reason to allow it on a high school campus. I agree the administration is innocent here and just following the regulations. If you have an issue, contact the superintendent. I believe in the right of these students to peacefully protest, but they already crossed the line last time with the messages. Take a day off and go join a protest somewhere else.

[Anonymous]

Have now seen pictures of the "walkout" during study hall. It appears about 30 kids out of a student body of over 2400 participated. Several posters with Palestinian and Lebanese flags, one with "From the River to the Sea..." and one labeling Netanyahu a "criminal" (which is consistent with the International Criminal Court prosecutor's outstanding request for an arrest warrant against Bibi).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mark them absent and give everyone who participated a zero for the day.

That isn’t how free speech works. The kids are allowed to protest. How dare you call for punishment? Are you deranged?

They can protest on their own time.
They should not be allowed to disrupt other students education.
Getting up and leaving during the school day should have the same consequences as cutting class. Its the same thing.

Not to mention the extra work that it creates for the teachers.