The scene in front of South Tama High School on Wednesday, March 14, as some 100 students walked out of class joining in a nation-wide schools-led demonstration against gun violence and in respect for victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shootings in Florida. News-Herald photos/Allison Graham

South Tama Schools Superintendent Jeff Berger told the school board Monday he found the student walkout at South Tama on Wednesday, March 14, to have experienced a “valuable teaching moment.” The national-organized event to protest gun violence was 17 minutes in duration in recognition of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida a month ago.

Berger said the organizers had shared plans for the event in advance and it was a “very quiet – not a raucous crowd” of the some 100 students who took part ta the high school in Tama. He said about 75 students at the South Tama Middle school in Toledo also took part in a walkout at the same time.

Berger said there was a police presence but spoke of no incidents.

He said the district has upgraded security measures and continues training in these areas.

Berger earlier said in a report by allison graham which appeare in The News-Herald on March 16 “I think nationally there is a lot interest in the conversation because of the Parkland thing. So I think freedom of expression is one of those constitutional rights. We want kids to be able to exercise those rights in a safe and productive way. I think helping coach them along to make it productive time and make a positive statement is what schools should be doing.”

Reaction to the story when it appeared on the Chronicle-News-Herald Facebook page was mixed.

The comments included:

Cody Hanus: I’m all for peaceful protest and having your opinions, but are these kids aware of the current laws? Who are they hoping to sway (city, state, federal legislators? Businesses?)?

Walking out simply because you don’t believe something, or that you want “change”, doesn’t do anything. Many times when I ask people these questions they are unable to answer.

Deb Bonser: When will the adults learn kids will walk out for any reason.

Matt Hand Wonder how many students would protest after school hours, weekends, and summer?

Chaser Michael Branab: How many of then know what they are protecting for tho ?

Kyle Purk What EXACTLY do thwy want? What specifics better background checks? Take all the guns off the streets? Take them but only from criminals? Without specifics alot of people are wondering if they are just doing it for the attention and because everyone else is. It’s ok to protest but why not say what you are protesting and do it at a time where the school employees time is not wasted, like after school hours maybe on your own time?

Jolynn Herink: Why wasnt this allowed outside of school hours only? Should be an unexcused absence.

James Hofer: to the people saying “do they know what they’re specifically protesting?” we literally discussed it during that time.

Andrew Aldrich: So I’m guessing they didn’t hear about the kid in Utah that brought a BOMB to school and painted isis is coming. Found the plans on the internet and made it. Last time I checked criminals don’t follow the laws. That’s why they are criminals. But maybe this is the tide pods talking?

Shannon Cox These comments make me so sad for these kids. First of all, one of my biggest worries as a parent is the cyber bullying my children may experience one day, and here it’s happening to these kids (who are reading these comments) coming from adults in their own community. Sad. Aside from that, regardless of what they did or didn’t say about guns, which I’m pretty sure most of you don’t even know what was said and just read the headline before commenting, they are standing up and saying they don’t feel safe at school and they have every right to do that and feel that, because it’s a legitimate fear. I’m so confused how innocent people dying across our country in schools, concerts, malls, etc has our nation divided. Shouldn’t we all be on the same side? People are dying and that’s a problem. Obviously there are different ideas of what the solution should be but with an issue as serious as school shootings, why is it assumed that the solution is an either/or and not a yes/and? These kids aren’t old enough to vote. They need to voice their opinions and concerns to adults who will listen to them and can vote for representatives on their behalf until they can vote for themselves and instead you’re choosing to bully them on social media. And you’re saying they’re the ones who are wrong?

Chad Green: My kid would be grounded for life after detention! Chad Green My tax dollars pay those teachers so they need to stay in class or leave! Surprised a riot hasn’t been started yet and endangered more kids and their seriously thinking of lowering the voting age? How dumb can you get. I don’t want no tide pod eating teenager making those kinds of decisions for me! No thank you…

Dennis A. Benda: I like to see NRA members take a gun to a Trump event. I want to see how far you get? If you need AR 15 rifle to go hunting you are a bad shooter. If you want to protect yourself. Should we legalize hand grenades?

Jackie Benda Meeks: Yup..lets put these kids down. Make them feel inadequate. I was bullied in school in the 70s. I didn’t take a gun to school. I am still going to blame parents for worshipping things not God and giving their kids too much and lastly acting like admitting mental health problems is shameful.

Jonathon Hugh Few points here: #1 Bravo kids. Best way to change the laws that govern a free society is to become involved. #2 Shame on adults who discourage and discount #1. These children are Americans and our future. #3 There is specific irony to adults acting like children over an event where children are acting like adults.

Kelli Duffy-mccreary: be the change you wish to see in the world. Gandhi. Very proud of these kids.

Alan Smith :Guess next week the pro gun students should should walk out.

I bet they wouldn’t get to far! Alan Smith

Alan Smith I remember in school two students tried to start a walk out against going too the war in Iraq. They protested with signs and yelling outside. The school said over the loud speaker if anyone else went out side they would have detention! Was that against our right of free speech I don’t think so. School time is paid for by tax dollars and is for learning not protesting. Guess they learned it from the idiot nfl players!

# snowflake idiots -America is screwed!