In the South Orange-Maplewood School District, Acting Columbia High School Principal Ann Bodnar has informed students, staff, and parents that she will not condone a student-led “Walkout for Palestine” scheduled for tomorrow. In a letter (printed below) she writes, “students who choose to participate in the walkout will be marked absent and considered to be cutting class. Those who go to the library will have an excused absence.”

This incident was first reported by Village Green.

According to Bodnar, the walk-out violates district policies on student protests. She distinguishes this protest from others, like the Transgender Walk-Out day in March when no students were disciplined; In previous walkouts, she writes,  “most of the school community supported the cause of the walkout.” This one, apparently, is different and she “encourages all students and their families to discuss this choice at home so that students can make informed decisions that they are comfortable with.”

Bodnar also warned students that the district has “no tolerance of Islamophobia, Antisemitism, racism, sexism, or expressions of hatred of any kind.”

Here is the full letter:

Dear Columbia High School Students, Families, and Staff,

Last week, we were made aware that some Columbia High School (CHS) students are planning a walkout. As the school has done in the past, we are working with administrators and the Maplewood Police Department to ensure the safety of all involved in any upcoming student walkout.

While the School District of South Orange and Maplewood most certainly recognize our students’ First Amendment rights, we cannot endorse or prevent a student walkout. If and when there is a student walkout, we will work to make sure that students are safe and that classroom instruction continues. Above all, what we care about most is our students, their education, and their safety.

In the spirit of the District’s Renewal and Reset initiative, it bears repeating that we have no tolerance of Islamophobia, Antisemitism, racism, sexism, or expressions of hatred of any kind. As a school community, all students must respect each other’s right to choose whether to participate in the walkout. No one should ever feel intimidated while they are in school. To that end, no one should feel that they must participate or be prevented from participating.

However, everyone should know that in the event of a student walkout, the following protocols will be followed:

School Library

The CHS School Library will be a safe space for students. Students must have their IDs to enter the library. Social workers will be available in the library for any student who needs support.

Absence From Class

Class instruction will continue during the walkout, and classes will continue on their normal schedules. Students who choose to participate in the walkout will be marked absent and considered to be cutting class. Those who go to the library will have an excused absence.

Where Staff Will Be

Teachers will be expected to stay in their assigned classes and continue instruction. District and school administrators will be present at the walkout to help ensure the safety of students during the walkout.

A Walkout Is A CHS Student Event

If students choose to participate in a walkout, we will not permit any outside organizations, guest speakers, or visitors to be on campus to participate. We will not provide access to the campus for the media during a walkout. However, we cannot prevent media coverage of a walkout or students using phones and social media during the walkout.

Maplewood Police Department

The Maplewood Police Department is working with the District and the high school to make sure the walkout is conducted safely and lawfully. We greatly appreciate their support.

Talk At Home

Many of us in the District and school administration have had the opportunity to talk with students and families. We understand that the student walkouts we have seen in recent news coverage are different from previous walkouts we have had in our District where most of the school community supported the cause of the walkout. Columbia High School students are facing a difficult choice in deciding whether to participate in an upcoming student walkout. We encourage all students and their families to discuss this choice at home so that students can make informed decisions that they are comfortable with.

Let us all recognize this difficult choice as a bit of common ground that all students share, and recognize that while we may not all agree, we can all respect one another as members of the Columbia High School family.

Sincerely,

Ann Bodnar
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction
Acting Principal of Columbia High School

CC. Board of Education Members
Senior Leadership Team Members