Many skip class to join protest

They knew they would miss study sessions for class exams and the all-important MCAS, which determines whether they graduate. But thousands of students in Greater Boston skipped school yesterday anyway to show support for immigrant rights and, in many cases, to march beside their parents.

In Lawrence, Lynn, Chelsea, and Framingham, more than 8,000 students were absent, well above normal.

Students who went to school described half-empty classrooms and as few as three students in some classes. School officials, while expressing empathy for the plight of immigrants, expressed irritation, saying that students should have chosen another way to voice their opinions during the national day of protests. School district leaders who had issued written pleas to families urging them to send their children to school said they were stunned by the absences when students have to take MCAS exams this month.

''I was very disappointed," said Wilfredo T. Laboy, Lawrence superintendent, who counted more than 3,720 absent students. ''It's the worst way in the world to demonstrate how much we need to find a way to legally help undocumented people in the country."

Students who skipped class said they felt compelled to support immigrants, many of whom are their parents. In many cases, the students are US-born and serve as translators for their parents. Other students are undocumented.

Diana, 17, a senior at Framingham High, missed a key study session for an Advanced Placement exam today, so she could call attention to her family's plight. Although she is a strong student, she cannot apply for government financial aid because she, like her parents, is an undocumented immigrant. Her parents brought her to the United States from Rio de Janeiro when she was 5.

''I'm getting kicked out of the system," said Diana, who didn't want her last name used. ''When I heard about the day off, I thought, 'What a great thing.' "

Maritza Merino, 13, skipped class at Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston, and her mother, who is from Colombia, stayed home from work. They spent the morning at home. In the afternoon, they marched from East Boston to Chelsea amid chants, honking car horns, and popping firecrackers.

''They are always saying we are taking away people's rights and we're taking away their jobs," said Merino.

''We want to show them how much they need us and what one day without us would look like." Her mother, Maria Isabel Palacio, listened approvingly. ''I'm proud of them," said Palacio. ''I want my daughter to always be helping others and to stand up for what she believes in."

Superintendent Thomas Kingston of Chelsea said he was disappointed that parents ignored his letter imploring students to come to school; 1,500 students of 5,500 districtwide missed school.

''Our expectations were very clear," he said. ''They're losing one day of preparation for MCAS. They're losing one day of instruction. The only ones that really get hurt by keeping children out of school are the children themselves."

In Chelsea and Lawrence, students who attended school were able to show their support for the cause if they wished. In Chelsea, students donned stickers that said, ''Education, not deportation."

In Framingham, more than 800 students were absent.

At Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Framingham, 113 students were absent, instead of the normal 30. ''I really am of two opinions. We do not want students absent," said Christopher Martes, superintendent of Framingham schools.

''On the other hand we do understand that families, the whole protest, want the country to know how important workers are to our economy. Sometimes I think we forget about that part of the debate."

Brian Ballou and Russell Contreras of the Globe staff contributed to this article. Maria Sacchetti can be reached at msacchetti@globe.com.