Fox C-6 Students Hold Peaceful Demonstration, Offering Real-World Lesson in Civic Engagement

Superintendent Dr. Paul Fregeau says communication, trust, and student responsibility helped turn a potential walkout into a constructive learning moment.

---

By The Jefferson Review

When students at Fox High School began discussing a possible walkout related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), school administrators saw an opportunity to guide students through a real-world lesson in civic engagement rather than simply reacting to a disruption.

Through conversations between students and school leaders, the demonstration ultimately took a different shape. Instead of walking out during instructional time, students organized a peaceful gathering before school near the campus flagpole, allowing them to express their views while preserving the normal school day.

Fox C-6 Superintendent Dr. Paul Fregeau explained that the situation first came to the district’s attention when a student approached the high school principal to discuss the idea of organizing a demonstration.

“That conversation started the process,” Fregeau said. “Administrators and students talked through what different options might look like.”

Rather than ignoring the situation or waiting for a disruption to occur, school leaders worked with students to discuss ways they could exercise their right to free expression while remaining within the expectations of the school community.

Communication Across the Community

The district communicated with staff and parents ahead of time, informing them that a demonstration might occur and reminding the community about the district’s code of conduct and expectations.

Fregeau said the transparency helped ensure everyone understood both the situation and the potential consequences of different choices.

“I’m pretty proud of how it was handled,” he said. “Students knew the expectations. They knew what the consequences could be if they chose to disrupt the school day.”

Ultimately, the students decided to hold their demonstration before school began, following a model similar to the well known “Meet You at the Pole” gatherings that often occur before the start of the school day.

Students Express Differing Views

On the morning of the demonstration, students gathered peacefully near the flagpole. Some held signs expressing opposition to ICE policies, while others stood nearby holding signs supporting ICE.

The presence of both viewpoints created a visible but respectful exchange of ideas among students.

Fregeau attended the event himself along with other administrators and staff members. He emphasized that the role of adults present was strictly limited to supervision and safety.

Fregeau noted that some social media posts and outside coverage suggested adults were participating in the demonstration. He clarified that staff members were present solely to ensure student safety.

A Moment of Responsibility

Perhaps the most notable moment came as the protest concluded.

At 6:55 a.m., just minutes before the start of the school day, students ended the demonstration without any prompting from adults.

“They just turned and went back in like it was a regular start to the school day,” Fregeau said.

The students from both sides of the issue returned to class on their own, demonstrating the level of responsibility school leaders had hoped to encourage.

Real-Life Learning

Fregeau described the experience as an example of “real life learning,” where students were able to practice civic engagement while also understanding the responsibilities and boundaries that come with public expression.

“You have the right to free speech and assembly,” he said. “But any public demonstration usually has parameters. If you work within those parameters, you can express your views in a peaceful and productive way.”

The district also coordinated with the Arnold Police Department, including school resource officers, to ensure additional safety and visibility during the event.

In the end, Fregeau said he was proud of how students, staff, parents, and law enforcement communicated throughout the process.

For the superintendent, the moment demonstrated something larger than the issue being debated. It showed that students can hold differing views, express them peacefully, and still respect the structure of their school community. And perhaps most importantly, it revealed how the students themselves can shape real world civic engagement offering a model not just for their peers, but for the broader community, of what can happen when a school, its families, and its leaders all value both free expression and safety.