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National Walkout - March 14th

Dear ASB Families,

On March 14, many schools across the country will be participating in a walkout. This walkout is scheduled for 10:00 AM and will last 17 minutes, in honor of the 17 victims of the Parkland, Florida school shooting.

Many families have asked how we plan to participate and the Office of Catholic Schools has let us know that each school may decide on how they will participate. We have spent time thinking about what will allow students who wish to participate to do so, but also what is age appropriate for an elementary school. Our plan is outlined below, and has been approved by Fr. Oliver, School Commission, and Leadership Team.

Middle school (grades 6-8):

Students who wish to participate must have a conversation with their parents prior to Wednesday, March 14th.
On Wednesday, March 14th, students who wish to participate will be allowed to walk out at 10:00 AM.
10-10:10 AM – Students will walk the block and/or stand by 65th. They are allowed to bring signs if they wish.
10:10-10:17 - Students will head to the church for silent prayer for the victims.
All of the above will be supervised by staff. If a parent wishes to join, they are more than welcome.
Students who do not wish to participate will remain in classrooms for a supervised study hall/silent reading.

PreK-5th Grade:

Students will spend 17 minutes making cards for the families and community members in Parkland.
Conversations will be age-appropriate, focused on people who need comfort during Lent because they are sad and people they know have died. They will not specifically discuss school shootings.
Cards will have messages such as “We are praying for you,” “We are thinking of you,” etc.
Due to schedules, this will be done between 10 and 11, with individual teachers deciding which 17 minutes work best.
These will be sent through an organization called Cards for Kindness, who are working to send many cards like this to the victims’ families, teachers, first responders, and community members in Parkland.

This is an important opportunity to come together as a faith community to remember and pray for Parkland, while also allowing our students to have a voice in this national conversation.

Please let me know if you have any questions. If you would like to join the walkout at 10:00 AM, please feel free to do so.

Best,

Kathleen Conklin