AKRON, N.Y. — Students at Akron High School staged a walkout in response to their upcoming virtual learning classes scheduled for next week.

What You Need To Know

  • ACSD administration announced classes will be virtual for high school students next week due to a spike in COVID-19 cases

  • Students and parents protested online classes saying they cannot learn or socialize virtually

  • Superintendent Patrick McCabe met the group outside to hear concerns

Administration announced the high school has had 30 positive COVID-19 cases over the course of 13 school days, which resulted in putting 175 students in quarantine, as recommended by the Erie County Department of Health. 

Parents and students came together outside the school Thursday to protest virtual learning.

“We’re losing out on a lot,” said Ayana Dzialak, a senior and cheerleader. “It’s not just the education aspect. It’s the social aspect. It’s the athletic aspect. There’s a lot of different things that play into it and it’s not as easy as just putting us on Zooms and thinking we’re getting the same education, because we don’t.”

Dzialak also said she has not had a normal school year since her freshman year because the pandemic started in the spring of her sophomore year.

Superintendent Patrick McCabe met the group outside to hear and address concerns.

“This is an evolving situation,” he said. “Our students are frustrated. They want to be in person. They want to be learning. They want to be with their classmates. They don’t want to miss any of the opportunities the school has.”

McCabe added that he had plans to meet with student council afterward.

Some students at the protest were signed out by parents and some walked out of school without permission. McCabe said the administration will discuss whether there will be repercussions for those who broke the code of conduct.