Students and staff at Farmington High School in MN set to hold “ABOLISH ICE” walk-out

Farmington High School–located in District 192, Farmington, Minnesota–will host a walk-out to protest ICE during the school day on Friday, January 16th. The flyer says, “ABOLISH ICE,” encouraging students and staff to bring posters and use their voices.

The accompanying graphic shows a hand that appears to be pushing down an ICE agent, with the caption, “ICE OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.”

A promotional video by Farmington Area Public Schools titled “A New Design for Education” calls for a “fundamental redesign of the educational system.” In this animated video, the narrator criticizes the assembly line through which students receive “predetermined knowledge.”

The video then criticizes the “standardized” method of learning, calling for, instead, a system that “customizes learning.” The goal, according to the video, is to ensure, “Excellence and Equity for ALL.”

The remainder of the video discusses the continuous progress system, through which students can learn at their own pace as well as updated technology.

According to the Farmington Area Public Schools website, “a learner centered culture that radiates a dream of an entirely new educational world, is to ensure each learner continuously achieves one’s highest aspirations while demonstrating responsibility to communities” through a system that includes an emphasis on diverse perspectives. The mission statement in its entirety is shown below.

One of the guiding principles in the Strategic Framework utilized by Farmington High School–and District 192–is, “Does it ensure equity?” Under this principle, Farmington High School emphasizes, “Advocacy & allyship,” among other objectives.

Under Farmington’s Strategies Community Companion Guide, the school states, “We will build trusting relationships by validating each person’s cultural identities and personal narratives….We will prioritize professional learning and growth in cultural responsiveness so our diverse learners, staff and families feel safe and supported.”

This concludes with, “We will create a system that draws, supports, and retains the most qualified staff that reflects the increasing diversity of our community.”

The final strategy mentioned in this guide reads: “We will give knowledge meaning.” Under this strategy, “Opportunities are provided for collaborative learning experiences through projects, mentoring, and exposure to diverse thinking.”