HIGH SCHOOL:

THE PROTEST MARCH

Happy Homecoming!
Outline of Presentation
Review of Assignment for HIGH SCHOOL
Article: When Pupils Protest, Schools Walk Tricky Line
New Policy for Clearing Absences
Freedom of Speech (First Amendment Rights)
Administrators Response
Role play scenario with the football quarterback
Action Plan
Outcome
Mats and Jens experiences
Question or comments



HIGH SCHOOL

You are in your third week of school and things are humming at Foggy
Bottom High School.As the schooladministrator,you are pleased with the
smooth start to school. The district recently implemented a new discipline
policy and so far, no issues have arisen.
Without warning, you receive a heads-up from the Art teacher that students
are planning a protest for Friday (in just two days) regarding the new
discipline policy that the district and Board have established for the high
school.
Friday is also Homecoming and there is a parade scheduled at 3:00 pm. It is
rumored that students are also planning to crash the parade and march in
protest as well as walk out of classes in the morning and rally at the quad.
What will you do?
 New Policy for Clearing Absences

Absences must be cleared within 3 days of a students absence. Any

absence not cleared within 3 days by either a phone call, email or
handwritten note will be marked as a cut, which will result in 3 detentions
for each period missed. Once a cut has been entered, it cannot be changed;
therefore, it is important to clear the absence within the 3 day grace
period. The auto-dialer will call the evening of an absence to remind you if
you forget to call the school. You may leave a message on the schools
voicemail if calling after hours. Please be sure to include students name,
date of absence, and reason for absence. Thank you for your cooperation
with this important matter.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and
Article 1, Section 2 of the California Constitution
guarantee freedom of speech and freedom of the press
to all people, including students. In addition, two
special laws in California specifically protect students
rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press at
school. Section 48907 of the California Education Code
gives a special guarantee that students have a right to
express their political opinions.
 This includes, but is not limited to:
wearing buttons, badges, and other insignia (including
armbands or message T-shirts)
posting notices on school bulletin boards
distributing petitions
handing out other printed materials, such as leaflets
writing in public school newspapers and yearbooks
writing in underground (or unofficial) newspapers
However, the school can prohibit or censor speech or press
activities that:
are legally obscene
are libelous or slanderous
create the immediate danger of causing students to commit an
act that is unlawful or in violation of school rules, or that would
cause a substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the
school.

CONSIDERATIONS:
A school can adopt reasonable rules which regulate the time, place and
manner of exercising students free speech rights. Students cannot organize a
protest if it will substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school or if it
will create the immediate danger of causing students to commit an act that is
unlawful or in violation of school rules.

Students can organize a peaceful, orderly protest at lunch or before or after

school, for example. However, the size of the demonstration, as well as other
factors, may affect when and where the demonstration may occur.

CONSIDERATIONS CONTINUED:

Locking exits to the school can pose serious health and safety concerns for
students and staff. In one instance, a local fire department responded to teachers
complaints about locked exits at a school by insisting that the administration
unlock the exits to avoid a fire hazard.

School cannot punish a student for missing school to participate in a protest

more harshly than it punishes students for missing school for any other purpose,
and the law is clear that suspension is not an appropriate punishment for
unexcused absences. Section 48900(v) of the California Education Code states:
It is the intent of the Legislature that alternatives to suspensions or expulsion be
imposed against any pupil who is truant, tardy, or otherwise absent from school
activities.

Administrators Response:

Although free speech is protected, there are still

consequences for missing school. It's important that we
do not set a precedent for our students that anytime they
disagree with a policy, they can stage a walk out. We
encourage other solutions and alternative means of
protest. We also encourage counsel on attendance
policies and appropriate consequences, and discourage
this interruption to the school day.
 SECTION II: ELIGIBILITY RULES

CIF Philosophy on Student Eligibility For Interscholastic Athletic Competition

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), as the governing body of

high school athletics, affirms that athletic competition is an important part
of the high school experience and that participation in interscholastic
athletics is a privilege. The privilege of participation in interscholastic
athletics is available to students in public or private schools who meet the
democratically established standards of qualification as set forth by the
CIF Federated Council.