#School reverses suspension of teen who shared viral photo of crowded halls

School’s back in session for the 15-year-old Georgia high-schooler who received a five-day suspension for tweeting a video of a crowded hallway in which many students are seen without masks.

The Washington Post reports that Hannah Watters, a student at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga., was one of two pupils suspended earlier this week — the first week of classes — showing footage of crowding inside the school. The upload came amid controversy surrounding the reopening of schools following the summer break.

“This morning my school called and they have deleted my suspension,” Watters tweeted on Friday in an update that earned nearly 85,000 likes. “To everyone supporting me, I can’t thank you enough. If I’m not responding it’s because my life has been somewhat crazy the past few days. Once again thank you.”

Watters added that she can return to school on Monday.

Watters’ mother, Lynne, told the Washington Post on Friday that “the principal just said they were very sorry for any negative attention that this has brought upon her, and that in the future they would like for her to come to the administration with any safety concerns she has,” she told the paper in a text message. “[The principal] confirmed that she will have no disciplinary action on her record and she can return to school on Monday,” she continued, adding that her daughter looks forward to working with school administrators moving forward.

Earlier in the week, other students captured their own footage of the situation. One image, which went viral on Tuesday, showed students crowding in a hallway — only three of whom are visibly wearing masks. The school has reportedly seen “positive tests and potential symptoms” of COVID-19, though it also gave students the option of at-home distance learning. Twenty-thousand of 31,000 total students in the district returned for in-person lessons.

Watters also posted a tally of how many masks she saw being worn during her classes. On Wednesday, the school suspended her for violating the district’s student code of conduct — as the rules prohibit students from using social media during schooling hours.

“I’d like to say this is some good and necessary trouble,” Watters told CNN. “My biggest concern is not only about me being safe, it’s about everyone being safe because behind every teacher, student and staff member there is a family, there are friends, and I would just want to keep everyone safe.”