OHS Walk Out

A message from the students, they are asking for our help:

The student rally for accountability Is a student-led movement that will occur at 10:30 a.m. on November 21st. They are asking for your help in getting the word out and in allowing your student to participate in this uplifting event.

1. They are working with the school and with all the right people to make sure it's being done safely and correctly

2. They are NOT walking anywhere, they are walking out of the school and staying in the area along Oxford Road, they are not going anywhere near Ray Rd or leaving the school area. The students know the importance of education and are working very hard putting this together and will be returning back to class at the end of the rally.

3. They would like the community to come and embrace them and stand with them, it's all going to be happening right there in the area of Oxford Road in front of the school.

4. The plan is to work with the sheriff's office to close that section of Oxford Road. People can park on Ray Road, and they can park in the area south of Willow Lake on Oxford Road. People with disabilities and who have trouble walking should be allowed to park at the high school parking lot as long as they get there in advance of the road closure.

5. The PRESS will NOT be allowed to be in the general vicinity in front of the school and will be asked to stage at the Willow Lake Sub entrance or the sandbox entrance and be allowed to film from there because the students want it to be seen without it being personal. the specific location is still being worked on

6. The student leaders will then approach the press and make their statement. The students will come to them, they will not come to the students.

7. MOST IMPORTANT: The students are looking for the community to line the area of Oxford Rd in front of the school and stand with them and show your support, show them they are not alone. This is really important.

8. It would be really great if some volunteers could organize getting food from local restaurants and snacks because they are doing this during their lunch, and it would show the community support for them

9. It would be great if the community brought comfort items for them and made signs that strengthen their message The students may need warm blankets, jackets and things like that because they may not have an opportunity to go get their coats and we are not sure of the weather.

10. Afterwards the kids will all be returning to the school and going back to their classes. Hopefully with a full belly and knowing the community stood with them as they find their voice and tell People how they feel, instead of people telling them how they think they should feel.

11. remember that this is a student-led event, be careful with your criticism and negative comments because this is something they feel they need to do. So many of them spoke at the board meeting and said it quite well. after the shooting there was a lot of community support and community gatherings, but then the Guidepost report came out and they were drug right back to that horrific day, but now sit in the abyss of silence, being told to just go back to class.

As it gets a little closer the students are going to be putting out a "Dear Community" letter telling the community the specifics where to go and when to be ready and any changes to the plan

Can you all help them get the word out so we can stop the rumors and let everyone know this is being done safely with an emphasis on the students finding a voice and empowering them while minimizing the disruption of the education for that day. This can be a healing event for them that helps them establish unity and mutual support.