SCHOOL OFFICIALS BRACE FOR WALKOUT RUMORS HINT AT FURTHER PROTESTS.

Byline: Sue Doyle Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Schools are bracing for massive walkouts rumored to develop early this morning with students marching out of their classrooms to government buildings to protest proposed federal immigration laws.

Local schools have experienced two days of calm after walkouts earlier in the week throughout Southern California where an estimated 40,000 students rallied. Nearly 200 of them were from the William S. Hart Union High School District.

Fliers have since circulated through many schools promoting today's demonstration, with students also learning of the planned event through friends and on popular Web sites. The Hart District has warned that students who leave school to participate in a walkout will be suspended.

But not everyone is gung-ho about hitting the streets again.

"We've already been heard," said Melissa Arroyo, 14. "We would just make ourselves look bad."

The freshman is one of about 150 from Golden Valley High School who walked off campus Monday when student protests peaked.

On Thursday, she and about 80 others attended a forum on the campus to discuss the immigration bills under consideration by Congress and what they mean for the teens and their families.

The discussion quickly turned into a lesson about government and public policy, with students asking about amnesty and procedures for turning bills into law.

Afterward, some students said they felt better about the situation because they didn't think the most extreme parts of the proposed legislation would survive.

When 17-year-old Emelia Cuervo first got involved, she was concerned that she and her parents would be sent back to Mexico. She walked in protests with her family last weekend along with about a half-million others who rallied around City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

On Monday, the sophomore led the 10-mile protest from Golden Valley High School to Santa Clarita City Hall. Although they met with city officials to discuss their concerns, students face Saturday school for leaving campus.

To Emelia, it was well worth it.

"I feel better," she said. "I saw I was able to make a difference. Next time, I won't do it during school."

Other schools are also turning the walkouts into learning experiences.

More than 120 Saugus High School students on Thursday gathered with teachers at lunch to talk about the issues. Canyon High School will host a similar discussion today.

"There are some kids who are very passionate but are not sure why they're passionate," said Canyon Principal Bob Messina. "So we're trying to do some educating here."

sue.doyle(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Golden Valley High students distribute white ribbons to show their opposition to current immigration legislation being considered by Congress. Kids met at a lunchtime forum.

(2) Golden Valley High U.S. history teacher Chris Printz presented some arguments on the immigration legislation being considered by Congress at a lunchtime forum.

David Crane/Staff Photographer