MONTGOMERY, N.Y. -- As students across the country participate in walkouts calling for changes to school safety and an end to gun violence, students in the Hudson Valley are doing the same.

"We have to listen to the teenagers who fear for their lives," said Valley Central High School junior Isabela Colon. "This has happened so many times and it’s taken so many lives."

Valley Central students walked out of class as a part of National School Walkout Day Wednesday morning to bring awareness to gun violence. And safety is on the top of students' minds. 

"To know any day somebody could come in and do the same thing where we live, it’s pretty terrifying," said Colon. "We live in a day and age where this is normalized." 

Students walked out, but stayed on campus grounds for 17 minutes with Town of Montgomery police on scene. The events happening across the region and nationwide are in commemoration of the tragic events in Parkland, Fla., where 17 students were killed.

The district notified parents in a letter earlier this week of the walkout, and some gathered to watch.

“I think it’s good to support our country and the kids that died, unfortunately, and all the current events, but I am opposed to this walkout and putting our children in danger and announcing it nationwide,” said Stacey Edwards, a Valley Central parent.

School districts have been grappling with how to handle these protests and how to make student activism a part of the curriculum.

"Really, the conversation has been about just how do we stop [school violence]," said Valley Central Principal Jayme Ginda-Baxter. "We want our voices to be heard that we want it to stop."

Students say that they are pleased by the participation at school and the support by teachers and administration. 

"It definitely shows that our voices are being heard and that how we feel is being taken into consideration as well," said senior Nicholas Gorton.

Now they hope their actions, and the actions of those around the country, cause those adults in power to take notice.

"We’re the ones going to school, we’re the ones living these lives and we’re the ones who want the change," said senior Rebecca Kramer. "So, I think it’s time for them to step up and realize how we feel."