National Walkout Day: Who's Involved In NJ?

Students from all over New Jersey took part in the national school walkout on Wednesday, even as two school districts closed because of threats. Others have sought to keep their plans private to protect their safety.

The Clearview Regional School District in Gloucester County canceled Wednesday because of an unspecified threat. The Harrison Township Police Department reported that an anonymous potential threat was made to the high school. Read more here...

Late word also came in on Tuesday that Atlantic City High School students were placed on lockdown when they intended to have a walkout. We'll have details as soon as they come in. Parents are being told to stay away. The students were later dismissed when the school closed. Read more here....

Sayreville public schools, meanwhile, were threatening a two-day suspension for any student who walks out of class. Read more here...

One student did apparently defy the order:

Woodbridge Twp. High School was also threatening a two-day suspension to any student who walk out and off school grounds Wednesday during the national day of walkouts. Read more here...

And New Providence High School prevented students from participating in the nationwide walkout, citing the timing and safety reasons. Read more here...

"Due to the timing of this walk-out movement, it presents a negative impact on classroom learning as it will interfere with valuable instructional time," stated New Providence High School Principal Lauren Zirpoli. "Additionally, the safety of our students continues to be our absolute priority and their safety could be compromised if students left the school building without permission during the school day." Read more here...

The Madison student newspaper the Madison Dodger Online has been barred from live streaming today's school walkout and any footage provided to reporters of the event will be screened by administrators, the newspaper said on Facebook. Read more here..

The walkouts were among hundreds held across the United States, spearheaded by the Enough National School Walkout of the Women's March Youth EMPOWER nonprofit.

"There have been threats made and every single time there is one, my friends and I think we are going to die," said Casey Bedwell-Coll, organizer of the Glen Rock High School walkout. "I think the chances of something actually happening are slim, but there's something in the back of your mind as it's happening that tells you it could be real."

Here are a number of New Jersey districts where activity – a walkout, or some other form of demonstration –was planned:

Newark

In New Jersey’s largest city, students launched a walkout at Barringer High School around 10 a.m.

Mayor Ras Baraka stood in solidarity with the protesting students, posting the below video on Twitter:

Montclair

Student organizers in Montclair said that the walkout at Montclair High School was a way to “show their support for the Parkland students and for Common Sense Gun Legislation.”

“It’s student activism, led by students,” MHS senior Corinna Davis told Montclair Local. “We don’t need teachers involved.”

Blythe Raine Bharamipour, senior class president, said that the administration told class officers students will not be penalized for attending, Montclair Local reported.

Nutley

A walk out at Nutley High School was led and organized by students, TAP Into Nutley reported.

The Nutley Citizens Community posted a letter sent on Tuesday from the school district to Middle School parents and guardians about the walkout on Facebook. The letter stated that administrators were aware that some students planned to protest, but others preferred not to participate.

District administrators wrote that they planned to “honor the intent of these movements” by inviting students to join teachers and counselors in the school auditorium for a moment of silence.

“While we are granting permission to participate in this one-time event, participating students must comply with the following guidelines,” the letter stated:

• Students are to return to class immediately following the moment of silence
• Students are not to disrupt the educational environment
• Any student leaving the building without being signed out by a parent will face disciplinary action as stated in the student handbook on page six

Nutley Commissioner Steven Rogers, the head of the NJ Trump 2020 team had some critical dissent to offer about the walkouts on Twitter:

• “Will be talking to citizens about organizing a pro-U.S. Constitution walk-out at schools across America. Stay-tuned! Let’s see if school officials support that!”
• “I am hearing from parents concerned about security risks during walk-outs. Who is going to check on the massive number of students and others re-entering schools after the protest. A very legitimate concern.”
• “Many politicians afraid to speak up about school walk-outs. Shameful! In my view appropriate tributes to the victims in Florida should be held as candle light services, with families etc. Parents need to engage and see who is sponsoring and financing any type of walk-outs.”

Verona

A group of Verona High School students led their classmates in walkout to honor the victims and rally student support against gun violence on March 14. Another walkout took place at H. B. Whitehorne Middle School, MyVeronaNJ.com reported.

“My relatives in upstate New York are hunters,” one of the student organizers said. “But they know the difference between having a gun that can kill one deer and a weapon that can kill many people.”

Verona school administrators told students that they may proceed with the walkout as long as it is done in an orderly fashion. More than 100 students were reportedly interested in the walkout.

Livingston

Students at Livingston High School walked out of class around 10 a.m. in solidarity with their peers.

The 2017-18 Livingston Public Schools "code of conduct" doesn't specifically mention student-led protests – either in support or opposition – as part of its "prohibited activities in school."

Bloomfield

Students led a walkout at Bloomfield High School around 10 a.m.

According to a letter from Bloomfield High School administrators to local parents, posted on the Nutley Citizens Community Facebook page:

“Although this event is student led and student driven, the administration is working with the students and the Bloomfield Police Department to ensure the safety and well-being of those students who wish to participate in this event. Students are responsible for any missed work during this time as instructional class time will continue for those students who do not wish to participate. The administration has agreed that any student who participates in this event will not be subject to school discipline as long as their participation is peaceful and they follow the direction of school and police personnel.”

Millburn

A protest at Millburn High School involved dozens of students who gathered outside the building. TAP Into Millburn/Short Hills posted photos from the walkout.

West Orange

District administrators in West Orange offered support for the March 14 walkout and said that peacefully participating students will not be disciplined.

West Orange Schools Superintendent Jeff Rutzky provided Patch with the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:

"I completely support our students who participate in the March 14 walkout. Our goal is to support the students' rights of free expression while ensuring their safety. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully stop the tragic gun violence that has taken place in schools for far too long. The West Orange Police Department and West Orange Public Schools have formulated a plan that will permit students in grades 6-12 to express their feelings as part of the national student walkout, while respecting other students who prefer to remain inside the schools during the walkout. The students who do not walkout will be in a supervised location within the school. If a student chooses to participate in the walkout and returns when the 17-minute walkout concludes, it will not be considered a cut or absence from class. Elementary students in grades PreK-5 will not participate in the walkout or any form of demonstration."

• See related article: West Orange Students Will Join National Walkout On Gun Violence

South Orange-Maplewood

Columbia High School students walked out of class around 10 a.m. and assembled in front of the building, demanding gun violence prevention measures in memory of the students and staff killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Organizers included:

• CHS Students for Justice
• CHS People On Women’s Equity and Rights (P.O.W.E.R.)
• CHS Black Student Union
• CHS Student Council

During their protest, the students demanded action steps to prevent gun violence and ensure the safety of schools and communities around the country. Students also read aloud from a list of 12 demands for gun violence prevention, safe schools and communities, and increased resources for students in crisis.

The protesting students released the following statement on Wednesday:

• We the students demand gun violence prevention now. This includes the banning of assault rifles and gun accessories, such as bumpstocks and high quantity magazines.
• We the students demand that you recognize that guns are the problem. By “you,” we mean the NRA, politicians, and the administration.
• We the students demand that students, teachers, and administration recognize the severity and relevance of gun violence and act appropriately in response. We need a building wide discussion about how to make code reds more effective. And further improvements for a safe community. All without giving up the comfort school should provide.
• We the students demand transparency between administration and students concerning safety and direct threats.
• We the students demand that mental health is not thought of as the main cause of gun violence. Guns are. Guns are the problem.
• We the students demand increased resources for students in crisis. We the students demand that our school provide adequate resources to identify and support students in crisis.
• We the students demand that guns stay out of the school. Out of the hands of students and teachers. And we demand that police are not brought into our schools except when there is an emergency.
• We the students demand that if guns are purchased, background checks are extensive and guaranteed. Japan has 13 steps to buy a gun; the United States Of America has two.
• We the students urge large corporations to stop the sale of assault rifles and to raise the minimum age required to buy a gun.
• We the students denounce politicians that accept the NRA’s blood money. We can stop gun violence without them.
• We the students demand that gun violence discussions be inclusive and extend to gun violence in places outside of school. We the students demand national policies so that no person has to fear gun violence in school, at a mall, at a concert, at a place of worship, at home, or anywhere they go.
• We the students recognize the civic responsibility to continue fighting after today. This includes voting. Our voices have power and soon our votes will too. Rejecting politicians in the pocket of the NRA. We should all participate in the March For Our Lives march and rally to be held on March 24 in SOMA, Newark, New York City, Morristown, and Washington D.C. Members of this community will gather at the Maplewood and South Orange train stations for a rally and then board trains to march in solidarity with other students in our area. Go to board of education meetings, clubs, and participate in future actions for gun violence prevention taking place at Columbia.

Ridgewood

Students at the high school walked out of classes Wednesday in protest of recent gun violence in schools and to call for stricter firearm laws. The walkout lasted exactly 17 minutes, one minute for each victim of the mass school shooting in Parkland, Florida earlier this year. Patch streamed the walkout from Ridgewood High School on Facebook live. Read more here...

South Brunswick

Thousands appeared to walk out – even though just over 2,900 students attend South Brunswick High School.

The South Brunswick school district shut down the campus to outsiders, so the media was not allowed to record the walkout. We live-streamed it here...

Toms River

In the Toms River Regional School District, details of what was to occur Wednesday in the schools were not announced. "We support the initiative of students to speak and express their concerns on the issue of gun violence and other areas important to them," Superintendent David Healy said Monday. "We have been working over the past several weeks to allow them to do so within a safe environment." Read more here...

Brick

Brick Township students were not among those walking out. That does not mean Brick students will be silenced or that they won't have an opportunity commemorate the lives lost in the Valentine's Day shooting, however.

In letters that went home to parents throughout the district last week, district officials said due to safety concerns, Brick students would not be participating in Wednesday's walkouts. Instead, the district has come up with other ways for the students to honor the memories of those killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and voice their concerns about gun violence and gun control. Read more here..

Wayne

Iarisa Basmouk organized the Wayne walkout. Read more here...

Hillsborough

Students at Hillsborough High School were scheduled to participate in a nationwide walkout Wednesday in protest of recent gun violence in schools and to call for stricter firearm laws. Like other schools, the 17-minute walkout was being done in memory of the 17 victims of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida earlier this year.

Madison

Madison students were participating in a National School Walkout day event on Wednesday, organizer Peri Munter told Patch. More than 350 students were signed up to participate as of Tuesday night, but that number was expected to grow. Read more here...

Montville

Montville High School students were supposed to participate in the National School Walkout Day event on Wednesday, Montville principal Douglas Sanford said in a letter sent home to parents.

"The students articulated two clear, distinct reasons serving as motivation for their participation in a school Walk-Out. First, they wish to honor the victims of the tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Second, they wish to participate in an activist movement to protest gun violence and school shootings," Sanford said. Read more here...

Mendham

Mendham High School students were expected to participate in the National School Walkout Day event on Wednesday, but it is "not meant to be a political rally or statement," principal Michael Matyas said in a letter sent home to parents last week. Read more here...

Black Horse Pike District

The Black Horse Pike Regional School District — consisting of Highland, Timber Creek and Triton regional high schools — has said it is in support of the students' right to protest.

"We will be in support of the students' rights to protest," Black Horse Pike Regional School District Superintendent Dr. Brian Repici said in a statement on the district's website shortly after the shootings. "In a democratic society, educators should empower, then support students' rights to peacefully assemble and vent grievances. As always, it is our job to educate, facilitate understanding, and inspire. I will discuss this with each Principal so that we can unite with students as part of any protest, rather than being apart from them." Read more here...

West Orange

West Orange Schools Superintendent Jeff Rutzky provided Patch with the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:

"I completely support our students who participate in the March 14 walkout. Our goal is to support the students' rights of free expression while ensuring their safety. It is an opportunity to raise awareness and hopefully stop the tragic gun violence that has taken place in schools for far too long. The West Orange Police Department and West Orange Public Schools have formulated a plan that will permit students in grades 6-12 to express their feelings as part of the national student walkout, while respecting other students who prefer to remain inside the schools during the walkout. The students who do not walkout will be in a supervised location within the school. If a student chooses to participate in the walkout and returns when the 17-minute walkout concludes, it will not be considered a cut or absence from class. Elementary students in grades PreK-5 will not participate in the walkout or any form of demonstration."

Hoboken

Administrators released the following statement about the walkout on Tuesday:

"Mustard Seed students will leave school at 10 a.m. and meet at the gazebo in Church Square Park on Willow Avenue in Hoboken (between 4th and 5th Streets). They will show their solidarity, respect, and love to the families of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, FL, on February 14, 2018. Students and teachers will be in the park for 17 minutes, one minute for every person killed. They will name each victim and light a candle in their memory."

Ocean City

Ocean City High School hgad an area outside the school set up for the media to catch what happens, and Patch was on hand to will stream what's happening live on Facebook.

Safety has been a concern among districts concerned about the large gathering of students that a walkout promises. The state Department of Education recommended, among other steps, making sure:

• Any gathering is away from areas in view of, or easily accessible to, the general public
• Assembly sites and pedestrian routes are not exposed to vehicular traffic
• Access to the gathering site is well controlled.

See our livestream of the event here..

Joint Base

Students at the Performing Arts Academy of the Ocean County Vocational Technical Schools were expected to join their peers across the country at 10 a.m. in walking out of school to honor those killed in a massacre one month ago at a Florida high school.

Ashley Vitale, one of the student organizers of the PAA walkout, said students participating have written poems and speeches, and some will peform songs to honor the memories of the 17 students and staff who were gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on Feb. 14. Read more here...

Donovan Catholic (Toms River)

While their peers across the country walk out of their high schools across the country, students at Donovan Catholic High School in Toms River were supporting them, albeit in a different manner.

The student body of the private school were expected to gather for a "Prayer for Peace and Healing" service on Wednesday at the same time as student walkouts are expected to occur. Read more here...

Middlesex

Cherry Hill

Lakewood

Communications High School (Wall)

Atlantic City

Newark

Here are other districts participating:

• Montclair
• Linden
• Bernards
• Watchung
• Green Brook
• Ridge (Basking Ridge)
• New Providence
• Summit
• Springfield
• Westfield
• Scotch Plains
• Clark
• Paramus
• Westwood
• Glen Rock
• Fair Lawn

West Orange public schools photo

Anthony Bellano Photo: Ocean City walkout