As a former history/civics teacher, and former School Committee member, I applaud the civic engagement of students who are striking over the issue of easy access to weapons of war that have been used in school shootings and other massacres.
While I would not tell my students which side of an issue they should support, I would give them class credit for studying the issue and for basing their decisions on solid information and careful reasoning, rather than punish them for missing classes.
I would help them organize meetings with legislators. What better way is there for them to learn to be responsible citizens in a democracy?
Joe Kurland
Member of Mohawk Trail Regional School Committee, 2005-2017