National School Walk Out and March for Our Lives

To the Madison Middle School Community:

Realizing that parents at Madison are concerned about their students’ safety, we have brought together all the information available at this time, around action at Madison Middle School, Seattle Schools, PTSA, at the local, state, and national level.  If there are new developments, we will do our best to communicate them to parents.

Fiona Preedy and Lorie Bennett, Madison PTSA Co-Presidents

Please read further to see all the information, including Dr. Gary’s letter regarding the National School Walk Out and the Madison Community

*Dr. Gary’s letter regarding the Wednesday, March 14th Walk Out
This letter, sent home with students today, explains that Madison students wishing to participate in Wednesday’s walkout will have to be signed out by a parent for that period of time, please note there may be consequences for leaving Madison without parent supervision, and that administration will monitor, but not lead, any protest.

*March 13th -Parents wishing to participate in the National School Walk Out tomorrow at Madison – we are recommending you arrive no later than 9:45 am, be open to plans ASB/Students have made, and be prepared to assist all students in achieving a safe and meaningful walk out.  We are expecting to stay on the Madison campus during the 17 minutes.

Madison Letter Student Walkout March 2018

*Seattle City Council passes resolution in support of walk out on Wednesday.

The Seattle City Council has passed a resolution in support of the upcoming student walkout on Wednesday, March 14. The council voted 8-0, passing Resolution 31803 urging Seattle Public Schools to support its students’ planned walkout.
Read the Resolution 31803 here on the Seattle City Council website 

*National School Walkout – Wednesday, March 14th at 10 am 
Women’s March Youth EMPOWER is calling for students, teachers, school administrators, parents and allies to take part in a #NationalSchoolWalkout for 17 minutes at 10am across every time zone on March 14, 2018 to protest Congress’ inaction to do more than tweet thoughts and prayers in response to the gun violence plaguing our schools and neighborhoods.

For more information on the Walkout visit ActionNetwork.Org

*Seattle’s March for Our Lives – Saturday, March 24th at 10 am
“On March 24, the kids and families of March For Our Lives will take to the streets to demand that their lives and safety become a priority, and that we end gun violence in our schools and communities.  Start: Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave

Seattle Public Schools urges their families to participate in the March, as discussed on their Board Resolution on Gun Safety page.

More information about the March 24th March for Our Lives is here.

*Seattle Public Schools passes Board Resolution on Gun Safety
Some of the key points that are made in the resolution:

  • Raising the age to purchase assault weapons to 21
  • Implementing enhanced background checks for purchasing assault weapons
  • Banning the purchase and sale of “assault” or semi- automatic rifles and of any accessories designed to increase a gun’s rate of fire
  • Eliminating private gun sale loopholes
  • Providing funding for thorough gun violence research
  • Supporting prevention, intervention and community re-entry programs that reduce community and gun violence

The resolution also makes it clear that we are against any effort to arm our educators.
To read more about the School Board resolution, the resolution itself, and more information provided by Seattle Schools, visit their website and the page – Board Resolution on Gun Safety

*Seattle Council PTSA passes resolution regarding Gun Safety
The Seattle Council PTSA has voted on this resolution, in support of the March 14th Student Walkout and the March 24th March for our Lives.  The resolution adamantly rejects guns in schools, speaks to advocacy around gun violence and mental health support, and highlights disproportionate gun violence with regards to students of color

Read the resolution on the Seattle Council’s website: scptsa.org

*Washington State Legislature
The Washington State Legislature is working on 3 bills:

SB5992 Concerning bump stocks – signed into law
SB6620 Improving security in schools and safety for students – in the Senate
HB3004 Improving security in schools and the safety of students – in committee, House

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