Following the student-led walkouts at Wenatchee High School and WestSide High School on January 30, we understand there are concerns and questions regarding school operations and district involvement. We would like to provide the following information to ensure our community has a clear understanding of the day's events:

Instructional Continuity: Our schools remained fully open and operational throughout the day. While a group of students, not staff, participated in the walk-out and subsequent demonstration in Memorial Park, regular classroom instruction continued, and our campuses remained secure.

Supervision Limits: District leadership and safety staff monitored students only while they were on school property to ensure their physical safety. Staff did not accompany students to Memorial Park or participate in the community-led protest taking place off-campus.

Professional Neutrality: Per district policy, staff members are to maintain professional neutrality while on duty and did not participate in the walkout or demonstration during the school day or promote any specific political viewpoint.

Attendance Policies: While we respect students' constitutional rights to peaceful expression, school attendance remains a priority. In accordance with our standard procedures, students who left campus to participate were marked with an unexcused absence. Parents of students marked absent received a text message notification that their student was absent from school.

The Wenatchee School District remains committed to our mission of providing a safe, welcoming, and thriving educational environment for every student. We appreciate our community’s commitment to the safety and education of our students.