3-14-18
Thank you to all of the parents who emailed and offered support throughout the day. It has been pretty amazing!
The National Walk Out Day has concluded. We had about thirty students total participate at 10:00 and during both lunches. I appreciate the Fremont PD for keeping them safe while they were standing quietly at the flagpole. All vehicles close to the area were swept prior to the event and five adults volunteered to secure the surrounding environment.
The school followed the handbook and will continue to do so in the event of future demonstrations. We cannot take an active role in organizing the event nor can we participate. We can be present to keep kids safe.
Over the intercom today, I encouraged students to make an impact on school violence every day by being a friend to those that don’t have many, by being aware of bullying and harassment and by picking each other up when we are knocked down. It’s the little things that we do every day that add up to a safe school.
I realize there are two very opposite sides in this issue with a third side in the middle. Some did not like the idea that parents had to give permission. Some thought students should be punished even if their parent excused them. Some wanted all students to be forced to participate. Some thought I should ban students from participating. I try my best to understand everybody’s opinion. I believe that everybody comes from the same standpoint on this issue: we want safe schools. Let’s start there and see what we can agree on. As a wise student said to me today, “You know Mr. Sherman, we are all on the same team. You, me, we all want to be safe.”
As today concludes, we will look at how we can make schools safer. I want to use the energy from the students who participated and volunteers from those that chose not to participate to see what we can do to make Fremont Public Schools safer. I think our conversations will be pretty valuable to our schools. Often, students see the world a lot clearer than we think they do. I guarantee the students’ ideas will be things we haven’t thought of and there will be at least one brilliant idea that astounds me. It always happens.
As always, my door is always open to parents and community members. Thank you for caring about school safety.
Scott Sherman
It's A Great Day To Be A Packer!
Support Information
Arbor Circle in Newaygo County: http://www.arborcircle.org/programs-services
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 24/7 trained support
Crisis Text Line for Teens Text "Listen" to 741-741 24/7 trained support
Please remember to remind your child to report any neglect or bullying they see. 