• From: Brian Summerfield <summerb@gpschools.org>
    Date: Mon, Mar 12, 2018 at 8:29 AM
    Subject: Re: questions
    To: Gary Niehaus <niehaug@gpschools.org>
    Cc: Kelly Boll <kbb48230@gmail.com>, SchoolBoard SchoolBoard <schoolboard@gpschools.org>, Cindy Pangborn <cindypangborn@gmail.com>, Ahmed Ismail <ahmed.ismail@comcast.net>, Moussa Hamka <hamkam@gpschools.org>, Kate Murray <murrayk@gpschools.org>, Rebecca Fannon <FannonR@gpschools.org>, Maureen Bur <burm@gpschools.org>

    Ms. Boll,
     
    I also do not have a March 7th email from you.
     
    I write to clarify a few things regarding the student assembly on March 14, 2018.
     
    First, the Board has been clear that it expects the District to comply with its policies regarding any student activity associated with this event.
     
    Second, the subject matter of this assembly includes honoring victims, rallying against school violence, and advocating for resources to ensure safe and secure buildings. These subjects are not controversial. That is, we are unaware of any person who is against any of these subjects.
     
    Third,  a true "walk-out" or other student action that materially or substantially interferes with the operations of the school are prohibited by Board Policy 5520. A significant amount of students  had planned to "walk-out" and voiced their desire to do so to the Administration. If those students engaged in this activity without District approval, they would have been subject to a warning through expulsion for showing support of the above subjects. By changing this to an organized assembly, the District is enable to control the short event, avoid unnecessary punishments, and ensure the safety of students. Please note that students who engage in activities outside those allowed at this assembly will be subject to discipline as provided by Board Policy.
     
    Finally, this event was not sponsored by any outside organization. As noted above, this assembly was scheduled by the Administration in accordance with Board Policy after being approached by many students, who were inspired by the students in Florida.
     
    As always, thank you for sharing your concerns with the Board.
     
    Brian C. Summerfield
    Board President

    On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 2:23 PM, Gary Niehaus <niehaug@gpschools.org> wrote:
    Kelly,
     
    I do not have an email dated March 7th so please send it to me.
     
    We have been communicating with the students, employees and parents via a letter.  We prefer to keep the March 14th event closed so advertising it on the website makes it look like we are encouraging others to come.
     
    This is what i sent to the Board of Education...the highlighted area answers your other question.
     
    I challenge you to go back to the Monday, February 26, 2018 Board of Education meeting.  I would reference the latter part of the school board meeting where individual board members gave their comments to the community.
     
    Five of the six board members present asked the administration to support the National School Walk-Out on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at 10:00.  Our administrative task has been to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for our students to have an event to Honor the Victims in Florida.  Our teachers will not participate in the event but will provide supervision both in the building and outside.  
     
    We as an administrative team have always advocated for before and after school events when asked.  We feel like the Board Member public comments gave the permission to the students to participate in the National Walk-Out.  We value our classroom time and limit activities during the school day.
     
    Since Monday, February 26, 2018, the administrative team has been working with the students and faculty members to find the right message, the right place to hold the event and to find the local law enforcement resources to protect our students. I have confidence in our administrative team, students and faculty members to make this happen. 
     
    We have organized the event at each secondary school with the students.  To my knowledge, there is no national organization or agenda.  The five board members asked the administration to to Honor the Victims of Margaret Stoneman Douglas High School.  Each GPPSS secondary school has been working with the three themes:  (1) Honoring Victims, (2) Rally against School Violation and (3) Advocating for resources to ensure safe and secure buildings.  These three areas were developed by our GPPSS students not from an outside source.
     
     We continue to advocate for students to make a choice whether they attend the event or stay in the school under supervision.  We believe the choice is important.
     
    I appreciate your guidance and always look forward to your perspective.

    Gary C. Niehaus

    Superintendent

    Grosse Pointe Public School System

    Our Vision: #OneGP - where everyone learns, every day  

    Our Mission: Promote Innovation ® Maximize Potential ® Embrace Community

    313.432.3004  - niehaug@gpschools.org


    On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 9:27 AM, Kelly Boll <kbb48230@gmail.com> wrote:
    Dear Dr. Niehaus and Mr. Summerfield,
     
    Do I have any hope of receiving a reasoned response to the concerns I expressed in my email dated  March 7?

    ​Also, h
    ow odd. When I go to the gpschools website 
    ​this morning ​
    and check the Upcoming Event agenda, I do not see the Walkout listed as an activity for Wednesday, March 14. 
     
     
    ​When will you be posting news of the walkout that has been organized at the national level by Women's March, Women's March Youth Empowerment, Action Network and its partners NEA, AFL-CIO, Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, The Daliy Kos, and more?
     
    Regards, Kelly Boll