> ----------
> From: CochranK@aol.com[SMTP:CochranK@aol.com]
> Reply To: edequity@tristram.edc.org
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 1997 11:34 AM
> Subject: school climate
>
> To the edequity group:
>
> It has recently come to my attention that the climate at our town's
> supposedly tolerant, enlightened high school is not what I thought it
> was. I
> have heard that the word "gay" is routinely used as a put-down; that
> girls
> are referred to, both in general and as individuals, as "bitches,"
> sluts,"
> and "whores;" that a lesbian teacher is frequently taunted about her
> sexual
> orientation by students; and that several boys talked openly in one
> class
> about getting all the gays together and burning them. From what I've
> heard,
> while some staff members deal with such behavior swiftly and in no
> uncertain
> terms, others are silent or pretend not to notice.
>
> I think this is more common than anyone thinks or wants to
> acknowledge, and
> that it is incumbent on the school administration to establish
> expectations
> and protocols that will enable and require the adults in the school to
> deal
> immediately and directly with such behavior, rather than looking the
> other
> way...to create a school climate in which all students feel safe from
> persecution and denigration, and in which those who would persecute
> get the
> message that this will not be tolerated.
>
> Does anyone out there have any concrete, specific examples of how
> schools
> have dealt positively and successfully with such issues? I am most
> interested
> in approaches that have proven useful *before* such incidents escalate
> to the
> point where the legal system, the media, etc. enter the scene.
>
> Hoping to hear from folks out there (particularly high school
> students), and
> wishing for a better world in the New Year--
>
> Kathy Cochran
>