TULSA, Okla. — While the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting to discuss Tulsa Public Schools accreditation was starting in Oklahoma City, parents, students and TPS staff showed their support for the district during rallies and walkouts at the start of the school day Thursday.
Crowds across the metro made passionate statements.
At Booker T. Washington High School, hundreds of students walked out of class to the football field to take a stand against a takeover of the district by Oklahoma State Department of Education. Many of them lined up to take the microphone to have their voices heard.
Meanwhile at Hale High School, a crowd of about 25 adults held signs, clapped and cheered as students were dropped off for school.
The group could be heard chanting phases including "Save our Schools", "Let's go Rangers" and "Tulsa Students Rock."
Many at the rally came wearing shirts that say "Together we're building a stronger Tulsa" and a quote from Mark Twain saying, "Out of public schools grows the greatness of a nation."
Among the crowd wasn't just people who work in the district or have kids in the district; some were simply Tulsans who said they are concerned about the students amid the political tensions.
Jill Peters is one of those concerned citizens. She said this show of support is important, especially on Thursday.
- Previous coverage >>> TPS Accreditation Fight
"I think the students are a little anxious because this is a lot of chaos in their first days," Peters said. "It shouldn't be that. It should be exciting and fun for them to walk into school so I hope we are giving them a little bit of encouragement and to show that we have their back."
2 News also spoke to a Hale High School parent dropping off her daughters this morning during the rally and she was happy to see the group there.
“I think its important for the kids and just for them to be able to get through school," Angel Keele said. "I just want the schools to be good for the kids and I just want it to get back to what it was.”
Peters who was apart of the rally also said she hopes control of the schools stays local and that this show of supports get back to those in Oklahoma City but she fears their minds are already made up.
A similar walkout at East Central High School lasted for 25 minutes at its football stadium.
Organizers of the walkout said they also braved the heat to show support for leaders within TPS, and to show their educators that they are trusted.
"We're learning calculus, AP Environmental (Science), AP Psychology. It's not a 'woke agenda'. It's educational stuff," said student organizer Angel C., who wanted 2 News to only quote him with his first name out of fear of being targeted.
"We're not just here to get out of class and stuff," Skylar Levan said. "We're here to stand up for ourselves and protest and keep TPS going and not shut down. We don't want that happening."
The East Central students added they're tired of being at the center of what they call political arguments.
"I really think it's unfair that these decisions are being made for us, without to talking to us, and without...asking us how we feel about it," Levan said.
"We want to have a say in this, obviously," Angel said. "We want our voices heard."
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- SUBSCRIBE on YouTube
