D93 Middle School and High School Families and Faculty:

Recently, there have been reports of student walkouts in neighboring districts related to national immigration enforcement issues. We have received a few questions about how District 93 would respond in a similar situation, and I want to provide clarity for our families.First, we have no evidence that recent protests in neighboring districts were arranged or directed by school staff. From available information, those activities appear to have been student-initiated.

As a public school district, we operate within constitutional guidelines. The U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate. Students do have the right to express themselves. At the same time, schools have a responsibility to maintain a safe, orderly learning environment and to protect instructional time.

District 93 does not organize, sponsor, or promote political protests. Our mission is teaching and learning. I assure you that we will not take students away from class time to participate in political demonstrations.

If students independently choose to leave class or campus during the school day, they will be marked absent from class. Parents will be notified through ParentSquare, just as they are for any absence that has not been excused beforehand. We do not physically restrain students from leaving unless there is an imminent safety concern. Our response in any situation will prioritize student safety, supervision, and adherence to district procedures.

Constructive Civic Engagement

We believe strongly in civic education. We want students to understand issues, think critically, and engage in meaningful dialogue. Missing instructional time is rarely the most effective way for students to make their voices heard. While this may be a popular trend at the moment, it does little to impact the issues that students care about. It may be helpful to discuss more constructive and impactful ways for students to express their views on the issues they feel strongly about. Some suggestions include:

• Writing letters or emails to elected officials
• Attending public meetings 
• Writing letters to the editor or opinion pieces to local news sources such as the Post Register or East Idaho News or The Idaho Statesman
• Organizing a forum or information session before or after school
• Volunteering with local community organizations connected to issues they care about

If families or students would like to share their views directly with our federal delegation, the best way to do so is through their official email forms:

• U.S. Senator Mike Crapo – https://www.crapo.senate.gov/contact/email-me
• U.S. Senator Jim Risch – https://www.risch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email
• U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (ID-2) – https://simpson.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/

We respect that families hold a wide range of perspectives on political and social issues. Our role as a school district is not to advocate for particular political positions, but to provide a strong education and help students learn how to engage thoughtfully, respectfully, and effectively in a democratic society.

As always, thank you for your partnership and trust. If you have questions, please feel free to reach out.

Dr. Scott Woolstenhulme
Superintendent of Schools