After Florida Rampage, Andover High Students Discuss School Gun Violence

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Parkland, Fla.

In light of last week’s Florida high school shooting rampage that left 17 people dead and more than a dozen wounded, more than 100 Andover students gathered Friday to discuss gun violence in American schools.

Andover Schools Superintendent Sheldon Berman and High School Principal Philip Conrad said Friday the students gathered in the high school cafeteria with the support of administrators and faculty.

“Earlier today, student leaders approached staff with their plan to leave their last class of the day in order to host this discussion,” Berman and Conrad said in a joint statement. “Staff members worked cooperatively with them to facilitate a peaceful and thoughtful conversation on how they were impacted by the shooting earlier this week at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.”

The administrators asked that families hold similar conversations at home.

“Nothing is more important than ensuring that our students feel safe at school, that their voices are heard and taken seriously, and that they are actively involved in the school community. Today’s dialogue was an important part of achieving that mission.”