• From: Brian Summerfield <summerb@gpschools.org>
    Date: Mon, Mar 12, 2018 at 8:25 AM
    Subject: Re: 17 Minute Parkland
    To: Gary Niehaus <niehaug@gpschools.org>
    Cc: Amy MacKethan <amackethan@me.com>, SchoolBoard SchoolBoard <schoolboard@gpschools.org>, Ahmed Ismail <ahmed.ismail@comcast.net>, Kate Murray <murrayk@gpschools.org>, Maureen Bur <burm@gpschools.org>, Rebecca Fannon <FannonR@gpschools.org>, Moussa Hamka <hamkam@gpschools.org>, Michael Jon Dean <Michael.Dean@gpschools.org>


    Ms. MacKethan,
     
    Thank you for expressing your concerns to the Board.
     
    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, #OneGP is a concept created by the District during its strategic planning process. It is meant to encourage us to treat the entire District as one community. It is not an independent 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.
     
    Again, the Board welcomes feedback from the community. Thank you for sending us your thoughts on this matter.
     
    Brian C. Summerfield
    Board President

    On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 2:57 PM, Gary Niehaus <niehaug@gpschools.org> wrote:
    Amy,
     
    This is what i sent to the Board of Education!
     
    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


    On Fri, Mar 9, 2018 at 11:18 AM, Amy MacKethan <amackethan@me.com> wrote:
    Hi Gary,
    I submitted a letter to the school board and I thought also to the administration. I asked for a response to my concern. I have not received one. I have attached below my note to the board. Could you please respond, when you are able, as I may be forced to remove Christopher from school on the day of the event and I feel that is unfair to him. Thank you, and please note that although my letter is direct and renders assurances regarding my actions should my child be bullied, I am not an overly emotional person and I hope that was evident at our meeting in the fall. 
    I appreciate, very much, any effort to respond to me as I know this may be a busy time for you. 
    Regards,

    Amy MacKethan
     
    Dear School Board,
    I strongly disapprove of the planned 17 minute school day event planned by #OneGP. 
    I view this as a political event which has no place in public school. My student has chosen not to participate and by choosing not to participate the school has put my child at risk of being bullied. You have forced him to make a political choice.  There is no place in school for holding events which force students to make highly visible political choices. I am truly distressed by this decision.  Should any bullying of my child occur as a result of this event I will hold the school administration, the school board and #OneGP responsible and will take whatever action is necessary to hold all responsible and I will spare no expense in doing so. 
    I highly recommend you hold this event NOT during the school day and also off campus. I am strongly in favor of freedom of expression and speech. I wish tremendous support to the Parkland families and administrators but find this event to be out of place with school day work. 
    Please note my strong disagreement with the planned event. I would appreciate a response to my concerns by both the administration and the school board. 

    Regards,

    Amy MacKethan
    415-786-9068