As many of you are likely aware, student walkouts and demonstrations are being planned for Wednesday, October 7 (related to the 3rd anniversary of the Oct 7 Hamas attack on Israel), at schools across our state. We know that events like these can create challenging leadership moments as you balance student voice, student safety, the rights of all students, and your responsibility to maintain a safe and productive learning environment. We also know that student walkouts are an increasing trend in education, so it’s always good to be prepared whether it’s this event or something in the future.
As you prepare, here are a few important reminders:
Know your district policies. Start with your district’s policies and procedures related to student expression, attendance, leaving campus, discipline, harassment, intimidation and bullying, and school safety. When in doubt, connect with your superintendent or district office.
Protect student voice—and remain viewpoint neutral. Students have constitutional rights to political expression and peaceful protest. Schools may establish reasonable time, place, and manner expectations and respond when conduct materially disrupts school operations or infringes on the rights of others. The rules should be applied consistently regardless of the political viewpoint being expressed.
Plan for safety. If you know a walkout may occur, communicate with student organizers when possible. Understand when and where students intend to gather, establish clear expectations, think through supervision and campus boundaries, and have a plan for students who choose not to participate.
Protect belonging for every student. Political expression does not eliminate a school’s responsibility to respond to harassment, intimidation, bullying, threats, or discriminatory harassment. This is particularly important when events involve deeply personal issues connected to religion, ethnicity, nationality, or identity.
Keep leading. These moments call for calm, thoughtful, visible leadership. Listen. Communicate. Be consistent. Support your staff. Take care of students who participate—and those who don’t. Your role isn’t to settle the political debate; it’s to create the conditions where students can safely learn, express themselves, and feel that they belong.
Resources
- Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL)
Remember, you have an incredible student leadership resource right here within the AWSP family. James Layman, Director of Student Programs for the Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL), is available to help school leaders think through how to navigate student voice, student activism, and challenging conversations while maintaining a positive and inclusive school culture. James and the AWSL team work alongside student leaders every day and can be a great thought partner as you navigate these moments with your students. - OSPI – Student Protests and Activism / Preventing and Responding to Discriminatory Harassment: Guidance on student expression, disruption, harassment, and school responsibilities.
- ACLU of Washington – Student Political Speech, Protest, and Walkouts: A helpful overview of student First Amendment rights and the authority schools retain to maintain an effective learning environment.
- OSPI – Discriminatory Harassment: Washington-specific guidance for recognizing and responding to discriminatory harassment.
As always, AWSP is here to support you. If you find yourself navigating a challenging situation or simply want to talk through your approach, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for the incredibly important work you do every day to create safe, welcoming, hope-filled schools for every student and adult.
Keep up the great work for kids!
