Conversations between school leadership and the students they serve are changing after the Parkland, Fla., school shooting. Not only are districts working to reassure students and families about school safety, they're also finding new teachable moments inspired by activism.  

Students from Parkland called for a national school walkout Wednesday to bring awareness to gun violence and school safety. Districts around the region and the country have been encouraged to examine policies around student activism. 

Spectrum News spoke with leaders in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and at Middletown High School about how they plan to support student-led movements, and they said that not only do students want to speak out, they also want to change the culture within.

"I was unbelievably proud of them," said Middletown High School Principal Tracey Sorrentino. "They took responsibility for this learning community and hoping to make it the best that it could be."

School leaders say they have been inspired by this wave of student-led activism, and believe that not only will students learn, but adults will as well.