News

February 29, 2008

Students are warned

By Mark Guydish mguydish@timesleader.com
Education Reporter
Mark Guydish on Facebook   |   @TLMarkGuydish on Twitter

WILKES-BARRE – Holy Redeemer High School students thinking about staging a walkout in support of teacher efforts to unionize could face disciplinary action, the Diocese of Scranton announced Thursday afternoon.

Talk of a walkout has been circulating for days, and a posting on the social networking Web site called Facebook has urged students to unite in leaving the building at 8 a.m. Plans described on the Web site originally called for a full-day walkout, but a new posting Friday said the protest would be much briefer, ending after a prayer, a speech and walking twice around the school.

The Facebook announcement urges that students “do not become vulgar or disrespectful” and “to be on your best behavior.”

But the diocese announcement may discourage some students from participating.

The announcement says a letter signed by Principal James Redington will be delivered to all parents. The letter acknowledges “the freedom of students to express support for their teachers is not prohibited by Holy Redeemer High School,” but says such freedom “must not be exercised during school hours because it might endanger student safety and will certainly disrupt the required good order of the school.”

The letter says student support of teachers can take place before or after school hours, but that parents should “advise students that disciplinary action will follow if a student leaves either class or the school building during school hours without permission.” It does not offer any details as to what that action might be.

On the Web

Read the diocese and Facebook notices at www.timesleader.com

Mark Guydish, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7161

Tweet	Follow @TLnews