*REVISED*

SCHOOL DISTRICT ENCOURAGES STUDENTS TO RESPECT WISHES OF
TRAYVON MARTIN’S MOTHER IN HONORING HER SON’S MEMORY

Miami-Dade County Public Schools administrators have advised students that while the district respects their sentiments regarding the death of Trayvon Martin, who was a student at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High School, students are encouraged to make their first emphasis education.

“While we respect the expression of emotion by our students, we ask that they remain focused on their education,” said Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho. “Our most important mission is to provide a safe learning environment for students, and so we are asking them to respect the wishes of Trayvon’s mother by celebrating his memory not through walkouts, but through reflection and civic participation.”

Yesterday, Trayvon’s mother, Ms. Sybrina Fulton, contacted Miami-Dade County Public Schools to voice her disapproval of student walkouts and to encourage students to instead sign petitions, attend organized rallies, and pray. Today, administrators at Miami-Dade’s secondary schools passed that information along to students, noting that respecting Ms. Fulton’s wishes is the best way to honor Trayvon’s memory in the most dignified manner.

School administrators and Miami-Dade Schools Police, along with the police departments of local municipalities are working together to maintain vigilance and ensure safety as students demonstrate.

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Editor’s note: Please emphasize Ms. Fulton’s words to students.

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