Last week’s overhyped, clumsily orchestrated and, ultimately, underattended walkout by Colorado high schoolers turned out to be largely a flop for its organizers and something of an embarrassment for schools.

For one thing, the attempt at a big turnout fell short. The groups behind the demonstration — purportedly a protest against the federal crackdown on illegal immigration — had mounted a  promotional blitz in advance via all the usual media, Yet, hundreds — rather than the anticipated thousands of students from Front Range schools — showed up at a central Denver park midday Friday.

And, as The Gazette reported, violence erupted when counterprotesters inevitably dropped by. In one clash, students threw water on a man wearing a red MAGA hat and face covering and carrying an “I love ICE” placard; the sign was snatched from him and ripped up. A woman had her hair pulled and was punched in the face.

Denver police reported five assaults among demonstrators in the park, according to The Gazette. Three people were taken to the hospital with injuries. Officers identified multiple suspects and said investigations are ongoing. Police also cited two people for graffiti.

All of which couldn’t have sat well with school administrators who, in prior days, had reached out to parents with reassuring emails and newsletters about the planned event. They made clear the schools wouldn’t stand in the way of kids who opted to join in. Some of the missives extolled the virtues of free expression and civic participation, implying those would be among the takeaways for students who chose to go.

Instead, the kids got lessons in how to escalate confrontation and violently suppress opposing views.

Plenty of those present looked a lot older then high-school age, and it’s likely some adults were among the instigators and perpetrators when it came to getting physical.

Still, it reflected poorly on all involved.

Naturally, there will be more such walkouts, whatever the issue, so long as there is politics. And so long as some teens mistake impetuous action for civic participation — another given — there will be more fracases.

But what if Colorado’s public schools dealt with the next one differently — offering a real, constructive and educational experience in civic engagement and free expression?

How about having the students write Congress?

Rather than standing aside as the youths skip class and spend the afternoon shouting obscenities and even risking physical injury, why not sit them down at their laptops with marching orders to put their views into text? Whether a student loves or hates ICE or any other hotly debated topic, all would be free to express themselves so long as it was civil.

Teachers could guide the participants, helping them craft coherent, persuasive prose urging Congress — the people’s chamber — to take action. The teachers would help them figure out who their member of Congress is, what his or her email address is, how to properly address a member of Congress, and so forth.

The exercise might even inspire schools to restore civics to their core curriculum — once standard in U.S. schools.

“I’m going to write Congress!” is a time-honored sentiment, and for good reason. It’s the civil and substantive way to engage in our democratic process. 

It also has the potential to be a lot more effective in bringing about change than duking it out with someone carrying a sign you don’t like. 

Violence is only going to get you arrested — and will go unnoticed by the people who actually make our nation’s policies.