Stan F. Mack II Superintendent of Schools
Dr. David Gundlach Deputy Superintendent
Susan Schnorr Executive Director of Business Services
Dr. Andrew Jones Executive Director of Administration
920.424.0160
920.424.0296
920.424.0120
920.424.0296
215 S. Eagle Street l P. O. Box 3048 l Oshkosh, WI 54903 l 920.424.0395 l www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us
Letter to Families Concerning National School Walkouts － A Message from Superintendent Mack
March 9, 2018
Dear Oshkosh Area School District Families, In the midst of national conversations around school safety, students across the country are considering school walkouts in an effort to raise awareness and have their voices heard. A national school walkout event is planned for March 14, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting 17 minutes, additional events are also planned for March 24 and April 20. We understand that some students in our schools may wish to participate in a walkout, and we feel it is important to address this topic directly and provide information to assist you and your child(ren). We also understand that this is a very different conversation for our early learning and elementary school communities and our expectations are detailed below. Ultimately, decisions regarding student participation in events such as this are personal for each family. Our hope is that this information will help families discuss this matter at home and we urge all parents to talk with your child(ren) about your expectations, as well as their feelings, opinions and possible concerns. As a district, our focus will remain on student safety and maintaining a positive and supportive learning environment for all students and staff. If a walkout does occur, classes will continue according to the regular schedule for the day and under the leadership and supervision of our dedicated teachers and staff members - ensuring that student learning is not interrupted for those who choose to remain in class. Students who choose to participate in a walkout will be expected to follow our attendance policy as described below. ● If a student intends to leave school, parent permission is required in advance or it will be considered an unexcused absence per our attendance policy. ● If you decide to excuse your child from class to participate in a walkout, please contact your school’s attendance office to excuse the absence. (Parent permission is appreciated in advance of March 14 to ensure that all students are accounted for in the event of a walkout.) Student safety is our top priority and our goal is for parents to understand exactly what their child(ren) intends to do and where they plan to be in the event of a school walkout.
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FOR EARLY LEARNING AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FAMILIES: Any parent wishing to have their child participate in a walkout must follow district policy, with the expectation that the child will only be released into the hands of his/her parent and will remain under their supervision until they are returned to the school. In an effort to engage in age-appropriate discussions, our elementary school leaders may choose to address this topic as they see fit, which may include talking with students about the ways in which we keep ourselves safe. The Oshkosh Police Department is aware of the potential for school walkouts and we are coordinating our efforts to ensure student safety. Additionally, please know that school support and counseling specialists are always available to students. If your child is feeling overwhelmed or if you have any concerns, please reach out to your school leaders for support and guidance. In this way, parents and school staff are partners in ensuring student safety and wellbeing. We want to assure our students and families that we are committed to creating school environments in which all students feel safe and respected at all times. As always, the safety of our students is our top priority and we appreciate our partnership with district families, as well as your support and understanding. My best, Stan Mack Superintendent of Schools, Oshkosh Area School District
