<img class="size-full wp-image-7814 alignleft lazyload" src="http://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/group.jpg" alt="group" width="500" height="333" srcset="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/group.jpg 500w, https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/group-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />It came to our attention this morning and through social media channels that students on high school and college campuses were planning a coordinated walk out at 9:30 a.m. as a way to express, in community, emotions surrounding last night’s election results.
Many of our O’Dowd students came to school this morning feeling frustrated, confused and powerless. Administrators discussed prior to school starting this morning our responsibility to provide safe spaces in classrooms for students to process their thoughts and emotions, adhering to principles of civility and mutual respect. We advised teachers to allow students, regardless of viewpoint, to name their feelings, claim those feelings, and for teachers to validate our students’ perspectives and feelings.
<img class="size-full wp-image-7809 alignright lazyload" src="http://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-21.jpg" alt="Walk-Out-Day-1-21" width="500" height="361" srcset="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-21.jpg 500w, https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-21-300x217.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />We made a decision to create an open, yet bounded space for students to gather at 9:30 a.m. this morning. Many students chose to leave class and we allowed them to assemble on the Quad. Many students felt the need to gather with other students in an expression of emotion.
Our students expressed appreciation that we provided a space for their expression. They remained on the Quad from about 9:30 a.m. to about 10:20 a.m. Students voluntarily dispersed when we made an announcement that we’d be resuming our class schedule at that time.
Our students are to be commended for their hopeful messaging, prayer, and calls to work together on issues of inclusion, love and respect.
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7810 lazyload" src="http://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-64.jpg" alt="Walk-Out-Day-1-64" width="500" height="334" srcset="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-64.jpg 500w, https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-64-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />
<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-7811 lazyload" src="http://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-58.jpg" alt="Walk-Out-Day-1-58" width="500" height="343" srcset="https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-58.jpg 500w, https://www.bishopodowd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Walk-Out-Day-1-58-300x206.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />