Middle School students walk out due to violence

By Kaitlin Manry
Herald Writer


WASHINGTON: For a week, Totem Middle School students met after class in the library, posted messages on MySpace and whispered conversations in the hall. They made signs, painted T-shirts and circulated petitions.

When the clock hit 10:40 a.m. Wednesday, they were ready.

They walked out.

Around 200 students risked suspension and broke school rules to demand more discipline.

"The students that have been committing these offenses have been doing them multiple times and the most they get is a two- or three-day suspension," said eighth-grader Farrah Wolgamott, who helped organize the protest. "We don't really feel safe because they don't get expelled. We think people are going to bring it to the next level and bring guns and knives to school."

Gail Miller, assistant superintendent of the Marysville School District, said she can't remember another time when students asked for more discipline.

With eight fights, February was a difficult month for Totem, she said. However, the school only had one fight in January. The district's other middle schools also had more fights last month and Miller thinks the increase probably has a lot to do with the time of year.

"I think students recognize they can get a better education," said Ty Reed, a math teacher and the school's Associated Student Body adviser. "They just need the environment to get it. The constantly disruptive students have interfered."

After the protest, Principal Judy Albertson agreed to meet for bi-weekly breakfasts with students to discuss violence and discipline, but Miller said little else may change as a result of the protest. The students who participated in the rally will face punishment, she said.

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