Manhattan Beach schools are planning to recognize the National School Walkout Day on March 14 with a "Day of Expression" that will give students a range of activities to express opinions thoughtfully on campus.

At Mira Costa High School, during AM office hours, the P.A. system will be set up on the stage for students "to freely express themselves on messages of unity." Through the broadcast journalism department, students will be able to record 17-second video messages to lawmakers. The complete video will be sent to the entire California congressional delegation. Additionally, there will be a debate on gun control in the small theater between the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans.

At 10:00 the school will come together in the quad and have a moment of silence lasting 17 seconds followed by the reading of the victim’s names from Parkland, Florida. Students and staff will be joined by representatives from the city, the MBUSD school board and the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

There will also be sidewalk chalk available for students to express themselves through art in the quad, an open poetry forum in the library, and an opportunity to make protest signs in the cafeteria.

The Mira Costa PTA has ordered t-shirts for all faculty and staff, displaying the hash tag #WeStandWithStudents.

"We were just trying to find a simple way for teachers to be involved that day," said Principal Ben Dale. "It’s a message they can proudly wear any day, so the tees should be good for a long time."

At Manhattan Beach MIddle School, students will also have the opportunity to express themselves on the P.A. system, film 17-second videos to be sent to California lawmakers, create chalk art in the center quad, and make signs expressing the change that they want to see. 

Students will have the opportunity to "walk out" of school into the MBMS parking lot at 10:00 a.m. for 17 minutes. Parents and MBPD officers will be on hand to provide support.

The National School Walkout Day was conceived as a way for students to protest gun violence and to urge Congress to take action on gun laws.