A Tribute to Parkland, a Call for School Safety…

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP – It was an indoor “walkout” at Central Mountain High School Wednesday morning. Hundreds and hundreds of Central Mountain students gathered in the high school gymnasium at 10 a.m. as part of a nationwide Walkout lasting 17 minutes to recognize and remember the 17 lives lost in the Parkland, FL school shooting a month ago. Student government president Joe Moore read the names of the Florida victims as students stood respectfully on either side of the gym. Numerous students took the opportunity to write cards to Pennsylvania’s elected representatives in support of legislation to keep students safe from gun violence in the schools.

Acting superintendent Dr. Al Lonoconus called the program “an opportunity for our students to show support and respect for the students who lost their lives in Florida…a way to honor the friends and families of those students.

There were a number of state troopers in attendance and Lonoconus disclosed that an arrangement has been made with local state police to provide an officer to serve the Bucktail school complex in Farwell. An office is being provided for that purpose. He thanked the local barracks for its assistance in the new arrangement.

Lonoconus said similar walkout-related observances were held at the Central Mountain Middle School and Bucktail High School. He called the district response “a teachable moment,” to assists students “to be responsible citizens.”

He said the effort was not a protest against schools or guns but “a way to encourage school administrators and teachers to help students amplify their voices.” He said the district is working with the students “to show them how to properly voice their concerns on a national level.”