GALT, CA (MPG) - Ahead of a planned student walkout, Galt Joint Unified Elementary School District Superintendent Lois Yount issued a letter Feb. 19 to students and families emphasizing student safety and outlining district expectations.

In the letter, Yount acknowledged the planned walkout scheduled for Friday, Feb. 20 and offered an alternative for students who wished to express their concerns while remaining on campus. Students were encouraged to visit the Wellness Center at McCaffrey Middle School, where they could write letters to U.S. representatives and local lawmakers.

“As required by education code, regular student attendance procedures will be adhered to during any student walkouts… At the same time, we recognize that the decision to excuse a child from school for civic or political events is a personal decision and we support parental choice in this matter. Knowing that you have approved your child’s decision to miss school helps us keep all students safe and accounted for,” Yount said in the letter.

Yount also made clear in the letter that walkouts are not sanctioned by the district and outlined potential consequences for students who leave campus during the school day.

“Students are not permitted to leave campus during the school day. If a student leaves campus without following proper release procedures, they will be unsupervised by school staff and the district cannot ensure their safety,” the letter read. “Additionally, walking out of class or leaving campus will result in school consequences including detention and may impact a student’s eligibility to participate in extra-curricular activities at school.”

The superintendent added that the Galt Police Department had been notified of the planned activity and that additional school resource officers would be on campus.

Despite the warnings, a group of students participated in the walkout Friday afternoon. Students were seen holding signs at the corner of Fermoy Way and Twin Cities Road between Walmart and Raley’s.

The student-led walkout appeared to be part of a broader response to recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity, similar to recent student demonstrations held across the Sacramento region and nationwide.