WAYZATA — Administrators at Wayzata High School sent a message to students and families Thursday evening outlining expectations and safety procedures in anticipation of a possible student walkout on Friday connected to recent events in Minneapolis.
The message followed online discussions and social media posts encouraging students to leave class during the school day. While no walkout has been formally announced by school officials, families and students have shared anecdotal reports suggesting a potential walkout time around 11:30 a.m. Friday.
School leaders emphasized that regular schedules and policies would remain in effect.
In the message, Principal Scott Gengler stressed that student safety is the school’s top priority.
“First and foremost, student safety is our top priority,” Gengler wrote, noting that administrative staff, school resource officers, and student support teams would be present throughout the day to ensure a safe and orderly environment.
Student rights and participation
The guidance acknowledged that students generally have the right to respectfully and peacefully express their views. At the same time, administrators emphasized that participation in any walkout is voluntary.
Students who choose not to participate should feel comfortable remaining in class, and no student should pressure, coerce, or attempt to influence another student’s decision, the message stated.
Attendance and accountability
Administrators made clear that standard attendance and academic expectations would apply if a walkout occurs.
Students who leave class will be held accountable for attendance and for any coursework missed as a result. Daily schedules, including lunch periods, will not be altered to accommodate participation.
Students who disrupt learning, misuse technology, or violate school policies may face consequences under existing disciplinary procedures. Students who leave the building will only be permitted to reenter through secured and staffed entry points.
Students who do not participate will remain under normal classroom supervision.
Supervision and campus access
If students assemble, administrators and staff will be present to supervise and ensure safety. Staff members will not participate in or endorse any demonstration.
The school also stated that outside individuals — including parents or community members — will not be allowed on campus to support, confront, or participate in any student activity during the school day.
“Our role is not to endorse or oppose any message, but to minimize disruption and maintain a safe, respectful environment,” the message stated.
Support for students
Recognizing that current events may raise strong emotions, the school encouraged students seeking support to connect with counselors, social workers, deans, achievement specialists, members of the Student Support Team, or another trusted adult.
Parents were encouraged to speak with their students about expectations regarding participation in school-day activities.
The message concluded by thanking families for their partnership and reaffirming the school’s commitment to honoring student voice while protecting learning, safety, and respect for all members of the school community.
Context: What Prompted Student Organizing Across the Metro
The anticipated student activity follows a series of events earlier this week in Minneapolis that drew widespread attention and prompted discussion and organizing among students at schools throughout the Twin Cities area.
Fatal shooting during federal operation
On Wednesday, January 7, a woman was fatally shot in south Minneapolis during a federal law-enforcement operation involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Authorities have confirmed that a federal agent fired the shot. The incident remains under investigation, and officials have released limited information while the review continues.
The shooting led to protests and heightened tensions in parts of the city, particularly related to immigration enforcement activity and the presence of federal agents.
Incident outside Roosevelt High School
Later that same day, a separate incident occurred outside Roosevelt High School during student dismissal.
It is confirmed that federal law-enforcement agents were present in the area near the school. Minneapolis Public Schools stated that no enforcement action occurred inside the building. However, the proximity of the activity to students during dismissal raised immediate safety concerns.
Video circulating online shows a tense scene involving students, staff, and community members. There have been reports — not yet fully detailed in official statements — of crowd control measures and a school staff member being briefly detained. Specific operational details surrounding that incident have not been fully confirmed by authorities.
Minneapolis District response
Following the Roosevelt High School incident and the broader unrest connected to the shooting, Minneapolis Public Schools canceled classes for multiple days, citing safety concerns for students and staff.
School districts across the metro, including Wayzata, responded by issuing guidance to families clarifying expectations, safety procedures, and student rights should demonstrations occur during the school day.
Administrators emphasized that such communications are intended to ensure safety and continuity of learning, rather than to take positions on the underlying events.
Editor’s Note: Events related to these stories are unfolding rapidly, and information continues to emerge from multiple sources. While Wayzata.com strives to verify details through official statements and reliable reporting, some aspects of these events remain under review or clarification. We are committed to providing accurate, fair, and timely information and will update our coverage as additional confirmed facts become available.
