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At Charter, students will talk - not walk

| March 10, 2018 12:00 AM

Dan Nicklay, principal of Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy, sent the following statement to parents and guardians of students at the school.

Dear Academy Parents:

In the wake of the recent school shooting in Florida, there have been a number of planned demonstrations in schools across the country. Academy students have expressed an interest in participating in these demonstrations as a means of showing solidarity and in the interest of promoting answers to the problem of gun violence.

During Study Lab on Wednesday, March 14, our students will conduct a forum—a “School Safety Seminar”— in the high school MPR for any high school students who wish to attend. No one is required to participate or attend.

The format of the event will include a roster of student speakers with diverse views on the issues surrounding gun violence in schools. This will not be a political rally or a “protest,” but a respectful exchange of ideas on a difficult issue. The Academy was founded with this type of discussion at the core of our philosophy.

Students will then be invited to submit comments to an online forum, which will be moderated by their peers.

All students are allowed to wear orange shirts or ribbons on Wednesday as a show of solidarity in support of the message (no hoodies and no logos). A student group will provide orange ribbons for any students who would like to wear one.

I want to thank our student body for their efforts toward making this a meaningful and productive event. Because it happens during Study Lab, it will not impact teaching and learning. Because it is not a “walk out,” it will not present any unnecessary risks to our students.

Dan Nicklay

Principal

Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy