Greetings,
Mannion Middle School is not immune to the national conversation about student protests and a potential walkout for seventeen minutes on March 14, 2018. As a citizen, I understand and appreciate students across the country utilizing social media to coordinate efforts to have their opinions validated and voices heard. As principal, I need to ensure the safety of all students while on campus. This is the time when these two priorities contradict.
I do not support Mannion students participating in a walkout on March 14, 2018. In lieu of such an event, and to provide our students with an opportunity to have their opinions heard, Mannion Middle School will participate in a letter writing campaign to elected officials at 9:35 AM on March 14, 2018.
At 9:35 AM I will make an announcement acknowledging and validating our students and their desire to be a part of the national conversation on school safety. Teachers will provide students with the remainder of class time, approximately 17 minutes, to write a letter to an elected official of their choice. Students will receive envelopes, and as long as the envelope is properly addressed and includes the student’s home return address, Mannion Middle School will use SGF (Student Generated Funds, not taxpayer funds) to mail the letters.
My expectation for student behavior during this time is for students to be respectful while writing their letters. If a student does not wish to write a letter, they may sit quietly at his or her desk and work on homework or read. As always, cell phones should remain off.
I ask parents to take a few minutes tonight and have a serious conversation with your child about school safety and the importance of this issue. I ask for your support and for you to discourage your student from jeopardizing safety to participate in a walkout. I ask you to encourage your student to write a serious letter to an elected official during this time and emphasize that this is a positive and appropriate way to have their voices heard.
Know that our staff is committed to student safety. I invite you to join me at our monthly Parent Community Partnership Meeting on March 15, 2018, at 5:30 PM in the Mannion Library to continue this conversation about school safety.
I appreciate your support and if you have further questions please do not hesitate to contact me at 702-799-3020, ext. 4100 or at PeterTC@nv.ccsd.net.
Todd C. Petersen
Principal
A PDF version of this letter is available by CLICKING HERE.
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