CROWN POINT | Crown Point High School was operating as normal Friday as some students participated in an anti-violence observance that was initiated by students wanting to stand up for gay rights.

A handful of students had tape over their mouths -- some in bright red, others in brown -- in recognition of a Day of Silence to bring attention to the harassment and abuse directed to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.

Principal Eric Ban said administrators have taken steps to make sure there is a safe and secure environment throughout the school building. Teachers and school personnel walked through the building regularly while secretaries manned the phones in the office responding to questions from parents.

Ban emphasized there were no problems. He said students were testing as they do every six weeks. Some parents said they would not send their children to school during the Day of Silence. Ban said he did not have any immediate count on the number of students who may have opted not to attend school because of that.

"The Day of Silence is going smoothly," he said. "Our mission is to promote civility and learning and that's what we are concentrating on."