JV Editorial
Mr. Petrella, all due respect, but when you say this "My obligation is to ensure the emotional, intellectual and physical safety of all students" and Roy E. Belson purportedly is coming back as a consultant next year after all the damage his (failed) policies have inflicted on the students and city life in Medford (please don't enable Belson's selfish approach to being superintendent,) one has to question the authenticity of anything being issued from Medford's school system. Students protesting - a First Amendment right - free speech denied residents who don't want to sign the city solicitor's stumbling blocks to public access tv, regrettably placed at the high school, are a red flag on the Administration's policies. They weren't walking out because they disagreed with the Olympics in South Korea! So what are you going to do about the history of cover-ups in the Medford school system regarding false bomb threats, inappropriate teacher actions victimizing students - always swept under the rug, and ammunition found in the McGlynn school. You have a student walkout, that's a sign. Fix the problem (s) not the messengers. Thank you.
Medford High School principal responds to student walk-out
Dear Medford Community,
Over the past 24 hours, there have been several inaccurate claims made regarding the response of Medford High School to the impromptu student walk out on March 7. I think it is imperative to be very clear on what happened, and what did not.
Students were advised that their actions, while inspiring and empowering, created legitimate concerns for building and student safety, and impacted the learning environment directly and indirectly for students who chose not to participate in the walk-out.
Students who walked out and returned after the 17 minutes were accounted for and returned to their regular school day. I met with the students who did not return and engaged with them in a mutually meaningful discourse.
No students were suspended.
No students were assigned detention or
Saturday detention.
No students were academically punished.
No students were prevented from leaving the building, nor were students addressed in any negative way by school administrators.
My obligation is to ensure the emotional, intellectual and physical safety of all students.
How can we ensure the safety of students and faculty, but simultaneously encourage student voice and civic engagement? This is the dilemma our public school must address, while considering the wide range of community perspectives and opinions on the role of public education.
I appreciate your understanding, voice and support.
John Perella, Headmaster of Medford High School
http://medford.wickedlocal.com/news/20180308/medford-high-school-principal-responds-to-student-walk-out