BRUNSWICK

Brunswick High School students have the blessing of district administration to walk out on March 14.

A national demonstration about school violence and gun control is taking place at 10 a.m. that day, with students across the country planning to take part.

The 17-minute walkout — one minute for each of the 17 victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida — has been met with support from many schools.

Some other districts, however, say they will discipline for students taking part.

Brunswick Superintendent Paul Perzanoski said the administration decided to allow students to participate. A question-and-answer session will take place with state legislators following the demonstration.

Perzanoski said district officials “thought that there was an opportunity to have discussion and an opportunity for them (the students) to tell their legislators how they feel on either side of the aisle.”

In a letter sent out Monday, it was noted students were interested in participating in the demonstration, which is expected to take place in back of the school, likely at the amphitheater. Students will then be invited into Crooker Theater for the Q&A between 10:25-11 a.m.

Both activities are optional for students, Perzanoski said, and there will be designated areas for those not participating to take their scheduled break.

“Classroom discussions about school safety may be appropriate in some classrooms throughout the day when they are curriculum related,” he added in the letter. “It is our intent to utilize this teachable moment to promote our democracy by experiencing its impact in an objective, reasonable and positive way. Our diversity of views provide the strength for our nation.”

Additional details are expected to be sent out this week.

Asked if high school staff have had discussions with students about the Parkland incident, Perzanoski said Monday, “I’m sure it has come up when it has been appropriate and where the curriculum tied to current events and historic perspectives.”

“Our feeling is hopefully this will culminate in a larger discussion of, where do we go from here?” he said.

Perzanoski hopes that direction will be visible by the end of the day next Wednesday.

“This is a student initiative and we’re just guiding it,” he said.