DSUSD sends letter to families regarding planned student walkouts on Friday

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) - The Desert Sands Unified School District is responding to a planned student walkout on Friday in response to immigration activity.

According to the district, there are flyers on social media and school property being posted by people not associated with DSUSD, calling for student walkouts on Friday.

Palm Desert High School Principal Sarit Saig reminded families that students are not allowed to leave campus or participate in off-campus demonstrations during the school day without written parent/guardian permission and completion of standard checkout procedures. 

"While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We do not believe it is safe for students to walk to City Hall, and we do not condone students leaving campus for this or any other activity without parent permission, following sign-out procedures and appropriate supervision," Saig wrote in a letter to families on Wednesday.

Full letter from Saig below:

Dear Palm Desert High School Families, 

Desert Sands Unified School District and Palm Desert High School have been made aware of flyers circulating on social media and being posted on school property by individuals who are not affiliated with DSUSD, calling for student walkouts on Friday, January 30th, in response to immigration activity.

Please be advised that while we respect students’ rights to free expression and create spaces for their views to be expressed, students are not permitted to leave campus or participate in off-campus demonstrations during the school day without written parent/guardian permission and completion of standard checkout procedures. 

While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our highest priority. We do not believe it is safe for students to walk to City Hall, and we do not condone students leaving campus for this or any other activity without parent permission, following sign-out procedures and appropriate supervision.

Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping students safe.

Sincerely,
Sarit Saig
Principal, Palm Desert High School