Walk-in highlights students’ safety concerns in Calais

Perhaps one of the most disturbing trends in modern society is the increasing number of fatal shootings taking place at schools, including the February 14 mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., which claimed the lives of 17 people. While the Parkland incident is the most recent to grab national headlines, there were many others before it, and six people have been shot and killed at schools around the nation since the Florida shooting. In response to this alarming situation, the students of Calais Middle/High School held a "walk‑in" on March 15 to honor the lives of those lost in Parkland and to open the discussion with school administration about safety on campus.
The event, which was organized by the student council and Jobs for Maine's Graduates, was originally scheduled on March 14 to coincide with similar student‑led events happening around the nation, but inclement weather prompted the event to be rescheduled to the following day. While some associated events were specifically intended to challenge gun policy, the students and administration of Calais made it clear that their goal was to talk about safety in general and how the events were impacting their lives.
"The students who chose to participate in the walk‑in took the event very seriously," says CMHS Principal Mary Anne Spearin. "They maintained focus on the fact that the event was a time to reflect on the lives lost and to refocus on the safety of our students and staff and not a place to take political stances on gun control."
During the walk‑in, students held a respectful vigil for 17 minutes in the school gymnasium while viewing the portraits of the Parkland victims. Student Hannah Alley sang "Shine," a song written by the students of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, and Leah Calder shared a poem from another Parkland student, echoing themes of the drive of the young students to have their voices heard.
"For me as a student it was important to hold the walk‑in to make sure that our opinions were heard by the school board and administration concerning our safety," says student Dylan Carrier. "It was equally important that us students could ask questions where we would be comfortable in hopes of understanding the policies and what we should do in an emergency situation."
Carrier emphasizes the value both in reviewing policies and in holding earnest discussions about such situations. "As a student, I would like to know that the staff and faculty at Calais High School have the proper training and understanding of the -- hopefully -- updated policies at Calais High School. I hope that the students feel safe in a building that they have to spend one quarter of their day at five days per week. Finally, I hope that our problems as a school and a society can be rectified."
For Superintendent Ron Jenkins, who remembers well where he was when he and his wife heard the news of the Columbine shooting in 1999, the actions of the students in opening the dialogue are commendable. "This time it is the youth, not just a few adults, that are saying 'never again.' The adults have failed our most precious asset, the children. But perhaps this time a child will lead us," Jenkins says.
"The students at Calais Middle/High School have taken a lead here," he says, adding, "I wish with all my heart that I could guarantee that such a tragic event as happened in Florida could never happen here or anywhere, but sadly I cannot. What I can guarantee is that with the support of the staff and students, police department and the community we can take all possible precautions to have the safest possible environment in all Calais schools. Let this be the time we say 'never again' and do something about it."