Organizers of national protest tell students to play hookey and
participate in demonstrations
Gilroy – The school district released a statement this week warning parents that participation in a planned protest Monday would not only place their children in a potentially dangerous situation and interrupt their education, but also interfere with the administration of standardized tests.
Most Gilroy Unified School District students begin taking the California Standards Tests Monday, annual exams that require high participation rates. If students decide to take the day off to join the nationwide demonstration it could spell disaster for the district’s scores.
“Parents and community members can support students’ efforts by encouraging all students to get plenty of rest and attend school everyday,” read the district statement. “Nationally, there are indications that May 1 is a day where students may be encouraged to stay home from school. Gilroy Unified School District believes that students should be in class. The district believes that not only is this essential for student learning but for student safety, as well.”
Any students who choose to skip school must attend Saturday school and possibly face other disciplinary actions. California Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell also will urge students to stay in school during a San Jose press conference today.
During the morning speech, O’Connell will explain how student absences affect school funding. He will also speak on the issue at a Los Angeles school in the afternoon.
Mass demonstrations across the nation are planned for Monday in protest of proposed legislation that would tighten the rein on illegal immigration. Organizers, which include universities and a radical Hispanic group whose mission is to turn California into Mexican territory, are encouraging participants to skip work and school and refrain from making any purchases Monday to illustrate the major impact Hispanics have on the American economy.
The protest also happens to fall on Mexican Labor Day,
