91原创 Secondary students and other kids from School District 35 voiced their opinion against the district鈥檚 policies related to sexual violence cases.

The protest started at around noon on Thursday, Feb. 24. More than 40 people protested outside the high school, and drivers passing by honked to show their support.

School district representatives and administrators present had discussed health and safety guidelines with the students with respect to the protest.

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The students said that the code of conduct for the 91原创 School District currently does not address the issue of sexual violence clearly, and they demanded that their district replicate the Toronto school district policies, under which an offender is either suspended or moved from their current school.

The movement started by a group of Grade 11 and 12 LSS students gained 鈥渃razy support,鈥� after they demanded the code of conduct be changed, said 16-year-old Alexa Starnes.

Grade 12 student Joshika Jouhal said that the current code of conduct does not clearly define the action that would be taken against a student who commits sexual assault. She further said that at least seven students in the district had committed sexual assault crimes and the names of the offenders are with the district management.

While the code of conduct lays out steps to deal with bullying, 18-year-old Madison Starnes said there seem to be no precautions in place to help the victims.

鈥淲e are trying to change the code of conduct around the sexual violence in school so victims don鈥檛 have to go to school with their rapists everyday,鈥� said Alexa Starnes, in Grade 11.

鈥淲hen you are just trying to get education you have to go to school everyday鈥� why should we have to be scared in the hallway?鈥� said Brooklyn Vinciguerra, Grade 12.

School administrators have met with the student organizers of the protest to ensure their concerns were heard, and to outline roles and responsibilities.

District communication manager Joanne Abshire shared that the district has been reviewing the student code of conduct since fall 2021 and is considering potential changes regarding language related to sexual violence.

While the district representatives did not comment on when and what changes will be made, they expressed that their priority was to ensure the protest happened in a safe and secure manner.

Although district said that no teachers were involved in the protest, the organizers claimed that some teachers and parents also participated in the student-led protest.

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The school and district were made aware of the student protest in advance. Although having students in class during this time was preferred, the school and district respected the students鈥� right to protest.

The group clarified that their protest is not directed at 91原创 Secondary School but at School District 35.

鈥�91原创 Secondary has done a great job in allowing us to participate in this protest鈥� the problem is within the system as a whole,鈥� said Jouhal.

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