Students Walk Out 3days in a Row

[moondancer627 0]

Nearly 1,200 Elementary, Middle School and High School Students walked out of classes this week for three days in a row protesting against crackdowns on illegal immigration and border security here in Tucson.

Those who walked out came from at least 18 schools.

Students gathered downtown at the federal building and marched in the streets snarling traffic on Congress street between the hours of 10:30am-2:30pm

School officials and police rushed to manage the situation, delivering water, sending schoolbuses to pick students up and brainstorming ways to prevent the walkouts from continuing as classwork took a back seat to activism.

Many educators say many students are trying to get a day off, but others are comparing it to the 60's when Hispanic students took to the streets the last time and are encouraging the students to make a difference.

School officials are continuing to walk a fine line at Tucson Unified School District saying they don't condone the behavior, but will decide on discinplinary action on a case-case basis.

They hope that the students will not continue walking out next week because AIMS testing begins and seniors will need to pass to graduate.

Students are still talking about more demonstrations to make their voices heard.

Excerpt from AZ.Daily Star- story byDaniel Scarpinato/Jeff Commings

Summary by Moondancer

[chocolaterie 0]

hmm.. I remember when when I walked out of hs school back in Toronto. It was when the teacher's went on strike. I proudly walked next to my English teacher. I do think the students should be active and make their voices heard but at the same time I hope they fully understand the situation and aren't doing it bc it's "cool".

[Aymerlu 3]

We used to have "walk outs" all the time in high school to protest one thing or another. Finally got to the point that if we continued to walk out we would get suspended.

[j&js 0]

As a high school social studies teacher, I have to say I would be proud of my kids if they legitimately cared enough about something to stage a protest- and used the school time as protest time, proving their commitment. However I would expect them not to let it go past a day or 2 because their education is essential to getting on in their lives and getting the tools to make a difference.

Also, just based on my experiences, I would say that in many schools, you would get a small percentage of kids who cared and wanted to make a point and a large portion joining in to miss the school day...

[Not Available 0]

hmm.. I remember when when I walked out of hs school back in Toronto. It was when the teacher's went on strike. I proudly walked next to my English teacher. I do think the students should be active and make their voices heard but at the same time I hope they fully understand the situation and aren't doing it bc it's "cool".

Yup my school did that too cause of the strike. We were more mad at the fact that due to their strike they were piling on the homework and work to do at school to catch us up on the time we've missed and were even thinking of getting rid of some of summer vacation cause of it. Some took it seriously some just skipped.

[j&js 0]

We (the teachers union) are actually having a contract dispute at my school right now, have been working under the old one all year, and some of the kids are joining in the fight- picketing with teachers before school inthe morning, while others are begging us to strike so they can get an extra vacation!

[Fuzzness 2]

When I was in HS the kids all wanted to go out and protest the native fishery. a few of us stayed in class and we had a small party with the math teacher. (or was it his wife?)

[Jasman0717 9]

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

i'd not recommend any kids walking out of school to protest on behalf of illegals. after all, when they fail out of school for lack of attendance, they will be in the same job skills market as the illegals........

[Jasman0717 9]

Its spring time...time for ditching school

[almaty 19]

we tried a walk out and got arrested for truancy...and parents had to promise that we be in school or get fined..i got a nice azz beating from the old man..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

For the most part I think its more an excuse to cut school than a legitimate protest about immigration issues.

Let me rephrase that - an illegitimate protest about immigration issues.

[iceyspots 0]

it would help a little more if they were able to vote

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

it would help a little more if they were able to vote

Hell I can't even vote, and I moved here legally

[Ban Hammer 13,475]

i just see it all as another attempt by another country to influence events within the usa.