(Toledo, OH) There will be an abrupt end to class in some Northwest Ohio school districts today.
Students in at least half-a-dozen school districts plan to participate in a 17-minute walkout this morning in a show of support for the 17 people killed in a Florida high school shooting and to advocate for stricter gun control laws.
Students at Woodward and Whitmer, Defiance and Delta, Defiance Bowling Green and Ada all are registered on a national website to take part in the 10 a.m. walkout.
Perrysburg is among school districts who sent an email to parents telling them students won't be punished if they walk out, as long as they observe the school district's code of conduct when making a political statement.
Toledo Public Schools sees today's planned nationwide student walkout as a teachable moment.
TPS teachers are equipped to start conversations in classrooms about the recent Florida school shooting and gun violence. District officials told parents in a Facebook post that teachers were given age-appropriate activities for use during that time period today.
High school students will discuss ways to make positive change in the community, while elementary-age students will focus on activities about inclusion and kindness.
If a student does choose to walk out, TPS leaders say they'll be directed to an area where they can peacefully protest with a school administrator present.