By Garth Meyer
A student walkout is set for 10:15 a.m. Wednesday morning at Redondo Union High School to protest what is seen as leniency in COVID-19 guidelines.
Senior Michael Lee-Chang, who spoke to the school board Tuesday night during public comment, expects at least 20 students to participate.
The walkout is timed for the start of a 20-minute silent study hall period for all students.
The plan is to gather outside the cafeteria.
Lee-Chang said he did not know who the organizer was. Lee-Chang helped spread the word using Instagram Stories.
“I’m vaccinated, I’m not really worried for my own well-being,” he said. “I’m more worried about the two adults in my house who can actually get really sick. Even teachers at school, I feel like they’re taking a huge risk.”
Redondo Unified School District has increased its masking rules and other Covid protocols since the return from winter break, though Lee-Chang questioned the enforcement.
He cited at least one large RUHS club still allowed to meet for lunch in a classroom indoors. Lunch is otherwise outside only.
Another senior from the high school spoke at the school board meeting as well. Gisselle Frisby said that students are pressured to come to school and a lot of kids do not feel safe there with the amount of Covid cases among students and staff.
School board president Raymur Flinn, in general comments at the end of the meeting, summarized the district’s view.
“Our schools are going to be last to close, first to open,” she said. “Our schools are open, as everything else is open. We are an essential, vital service.”
She noted that, in the event of a (larger) outbreak at a specific school, or for the broader district, the L.A. County Department of Health would issue an order to shut down.
Before Tuesday’s meeting, a group of about 30 people protested outside the district office, waving signs against possible vaccine requirements with slogans such as “My Child, My Choice.”
