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Students walking out of class to mark Columbine shooting anniversary

On April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting, students across the nation will walk out of class and protest — including some Hampton Roads students.

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- At 10:00 a.m. Friday, students at local high schools across Hampton Roads participated in a national walkout on the anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting when 13 people died.

According to act.indivisible.org, there were at least 10 events planned in the area — including in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach.

This is the second national school walkout in two months.

Princess Anne is just one of 7 schools in Virginia Beach, and more than 2,000 schools nationwide that participated in the walkout.

The goal the walkout is to get tighter gun laws and to end school shootings for good.

"We were all just really passionate about letting our voices be heard,” Princess Anne High School senior, Patrick Babb said. ‘Our generation isn't going to back down from these issues."

The school walkout last month took 17 minutes, in honor of the 17-people killed in the Parkland Florida shooting.

Virginia Beach Public School administrators asked students to return after 30 minutes.

"We thought that our 30 minutes was just as powerful though," said Babb.

Babb said, "the posterity of future generations is what's at stake and I don't want to have to be worrying about this with my children."

Participating students also got an 'un-excused absence,' in class.

Senior Sophia Phillips didn't participate but said, “so, for people being brave enough to be able to do that and just be able to accept the consequences of it. I think it really promotes a big message on what they believe."

Princess Anne High School protesters carried signs that read "enough is enough,” and even wrote letters to legislators asking for stronger gun laws.

Babb said," I wrote mine to Scott Taylor."

Next Monday, Princess Ann High School students plan to protest near Congressmen Scott Taylor's office.

Organizers said they will meet around 3:30 at the fountain in Town Center.

13News Now has reached out to school officials from seven cities for a statement or plan on the demonstrations.

Hampton Public Schools official statement:

"HCS values youth civic engagement and the contributions of young people in identifying and solving problems, but we must balance that against our goal to protect instructional time and the safety of our students. If students participate in this walkout/demonstration, students will be held in accordance to the HCS's Students Rights and Responsibilities Handbook."

Norfolk Public Schools official statement:

"Norfolk Public Schools (NPS) appreciates every student’s right to peaceful protest, however, the district has not organized any activities related to the national walkout. Administrators have been provided guidance and plans are in place to keep students safe and maintain order in the event of a walkout at any of our schools."

Portsmouth Public Schools official statement:

"No students have shared any plans for walking out tomorrow. As always, the School Division will remain neutral regarding any protest or demonstration."

Virginia Beach Public Schools official statement to families:

Dear Families,

As you may know, student groups across the nation have shared plans to walk out of school tomorrow, the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Unlike a similar March event, organizers are suggesting that participants leave school at 10 a.m. and not return for the remainder of the school day.

Rest assured that staff will take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of all students in class and on campus. While doing so, we must also remain focused on providing continuous, high-quality instruction for students. Therefore, in the interest of both safety and learning, walkout participants will be asked to return to class after 30 minutes.

Any student who chooses to participate will be marked with an unexcused absence from any missed class period(s) during the walkout. Students who return to class within 30 minutes will be allowed to make up missed assignments. However, make up work for students who do not return to class within 30 minutes will only be accepted at the teacher’s discretion, subject to the guidelines set at the beginning of the course for unexcused absences. As a reminder, leaving the school campus without following proper early dismissal procedures is a violation of School Board Regulation 5-63.1, which will result in disciplinary action.

As a school division, we understand that some families view this as an opportunity for their children to honor victims of school violence and to once again engage in civil discourse. Therefore, VBCPS staff will neither encourage nor discourage students from taking part in a walkout or, as the principal of Columbine High School suggests, honoring victims by taking part in community service. We simply ask that you take all of this information into consideration when discussing these events with your children.

Thank you.

Suffolk Public Schools official statement:

Our principals have not heard from any student groups about tomorrow, but of course, it's circulating nationally on social media and we are aware that someone from NRHS registered on the national site.

The following message was sent to high school families this afternoon:

On Friday, April 20th, a national school walkout is being discussed to mark the anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Unlike a similar March event, national organizers are suggesting that participants leave school at 10 a.m. and not return for the remainder of the school day.

While we value youth civic engagement, we must balance that against our goal to protect instructional time and the safety of our students. If students leave campus, we cannot ensure their safety and they will receive a consequence aligned with School Board policy.

Parents, please take a moment to discuss this with your child in advance and to reinforce school expectations at home. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

Chesapeake Public Schools official statement:

There are no events of this nature supported by Chesapeake Public Schools planned for this date. April 20, 2018 is an instructional day. Students who leave class without permission will have consequences. Parents have been notified.

Schools with planned events:

First Colonial High School

Cox High School

Princess Anne High School

Green Run High School / Collegiate

Landstown High School

Kellam High School

Salem High School

Tallwood High School

Oscar F. Smith High School

Deep Creek High School

Granby High School

Grassfield High School

Churchland High School

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