Students
J.T. Roane and Jackson Bosiokovic talks with acting Principal Scott Musser as
they model the T-shirts that will be distributed to students today. Acting
Principal Scott Musser is taking a different approach at Mansfield Senior High as
students in some high schools prepare to walk out of their buildings at 10 a.m.
on Wednesday.
The
17-minute walkout, planned for one month after 17 people were killed in a
shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, calls on Congress
to adopt stricter gun control laws.
“I believe we are a stronger community together by remaining inside, sharing ideas and speaking out against violence,” Musser said. “If we stand together, there won’t be any need to walk out.”
To emphasize
unity Musser will distribute T-shirts during lunch today to all students who
agree to remain inside the school Wednesday morning. The message on the front
of the shirts:
Hear Something?
See Something?
SAY SOMETHING!
Making Mansfield Senior High safe for
all
“This is the kids’ school. Everyone needs to speak up if they see or hear something that could be a threat,” Musser said.
“I believe most, if not all, of our students will agree to remain inside to discuss how to prevent violence. But if a student wants to walk out at 10 o’clock on Wednesday he or she will be permitted to stand near the flag pole in front of the school for the 17 minutes.”
Musser said
security personnel will be stationed at the main entrance and the rear entrance
near the student parking lot. Any student who might attempt to walk out of the
rear entrance will be directed to the front.
“We have great kids here at Senior High,” Musser said. “I have confidence in them. We all want to prevent violence in our schools. I believe the best way to do that is by staying stronger together in our community.”
Wednesday’s walkout is part of a movement spurred by survivors of the Parkland, Fla., shooting with support from the Women’s March Youth EMPOWER.
The T-shirts provided to Senior High students were paid for by Richland Bank, Mechanics Bank, the Mansfield Association of REALTORS and Gionino’s Pizzeria.