National School Walkout, March 14

February 28, 2018

Dear Parents, Families, and Extended Uxbridge Community:

Over the past two weeks, our school and our student body have been managing a number of emotions following the tragedy in Florida. Consequently, some students reached out to school administration, noting their intention to organize and participate in the National School Walkout on March 14 at 10:00 a.m.

As a school, we bear the collective responsibility to helping students understanding the balance between effective speech, assembly, and protest and what can be seen as civil disobedience or a disruption. The law is fairly clear on the subject, as outlined in the Supreme Court’s landmark Tinker v. Des Moines decision. In that decision, the Court held that, first, students have a constitutional right to freedom of speech while at school and on school grounds, and, second, that this freedom of speech right must be balanced against maintaining orderliness in the school environment. Employing these standards, the Court’s baseline provides schools with the latitude to regulate freedom of speech if it will likely result in a substantial disruption of the educational process; material interference with school activities; or invasion of the rights of others. (The Court famously states that students “do not shed their Constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate”).

In meeting with some student leaders, it has become clear that the goal of Uxbridge’s planned participation on March 14 is based on two singular goals and no other ulterior motives: (1) coming together as a community that will show its collective vigilance and support of each other; and (2) honoring the memory of the students who perished in the Parkland tragedy. We intend to have banners that students will sign, with a message to the effect of, “UHS stands with Marjory Stoneman Douglas” or “We stand together against hatred,” while keeping the political motivations of some out of the discussion. Those who have spoken with us have indicated a range of political views, and we have been impressed by the collective intentions of our students to stand with a singular purpose, regardless of their personal ideologies. We thus have an opportunity to have our students model effective communication, civic and civil responsibility, respect for others, the acceptance of disparate points of view, and the articulation of thoughts and ideas - all of which are part of our core values.

As we are planning a regular day of school, we will be permitting students who wish to participate to sign up in advance, and those who do not wish to participate will stay in class during that period, where teachers can continue with normal instruction. Those who choose to participate but do so inappropriately or in a way as to disrupt the planned activity - or who attempt to subvert the intentions of those organizing the event - will face consequences in accordance with the Student Handbook. Students who do not sign up in advance but leave classes without permission will also face consequences.

Finally, we will work with the Uxbridge Police Department to secure the driveway leading up to the building to ensure that visitors do not pose any security risk to our students. Visitors will be directed to the student parking lot and escorted to the building by administration or staff, should someone arrive during the 10:00-10:15 window, when we anticipate this planned event to occur.

We are impressed, so far, with the altruism and optimism with which our students are approaching this event. We are hopeful to share in a civil civic discourse with our students. We are confident that it will connect our students to a world much bigger than their own high school while focusing on our collective responsibility to the community in which we live. And we are appreciative of our community and families for supporting our students, our staff, and our administration as we tackle these particularly challenging times and provide safe learning opportunities for our Spartans.

Sincerely yours,

Michael Rubin

Principal
Uxbridge High School