Oct 28th Minutes

October Parent Education Series – October 28, 2009 – That’s so gay and other not-so-cool things to say
Jen Wyld introduced the panel:  Anastasia from Sexual Assault Support Services, Dana Zaldua-Hilkene from National Center for Lesbian Rights (dzalduahilkene@nclrights.org) and Allison Cleveland from The Gender Center in Eugene.
Anastasia is a guest speaker who goes into schools to talk to kids about harassment and sexual abuse issues.  She can be contacted at 541-484-9791.  There is a crisis/support line at 343-sass (7277)
Dana explained that the National Center for Lesbian Rights is a civil rights law firm that makes foster care and juvenile centers safe for lesbian and gay children and children being bullied or harassed because of their perceived sexual orientation.  Dana noted that a Federal bill was signed by President Obama today that protects gay, lesbian and transgender persons from hate crimes.  She said that in the last year, two 11-year-old boys took their own lives because they were being bullied at school for their perceived sexual orientation.  Every child has a right to go to school without being harassed or bullied.  A 2007 National School Climate Survey reported that 76% of students said they heard comments being made in a bullying way about sexual orientation.  When a person says, “That’s so gay,” they are putting a person down for being lame, stupid or dumb.  What you are saying is hurtful.  You never know who you are talking to.  The Gay Straight Alliance Network has a Take It Back Project for awareness of anything that makes a person feel different, including race and religion.
Allison Cleveland works for the Gender Center and 4j schools around domestic and sexual violence.  She writes policies and passed around a copy of SAFE Schools for all Youth Implementation Toolkit.  She said the 2009 Safe Schools Act is downloadable on line.  It addresses specific behaviors, remarks made about gay people and racial remarks.  She said it is important to interrupt the behavior by saying, “that’s not cool,”  “think about what you are saying,” and asking, “What do you mean by that?”  Kids will just say something without thinking.  You want to call it to their attention, ask them how they think that feels.  Allison grew up in the 50’s in a small town in Vermont where she was nicknamed “Skirtsy”.  Kids would follow her home and beat her up.  It was hard on her academic career and gave her limited social contact.  She said we can educate ourselves so we can educate others.  Be allies with kids by asking them, “What do you mean by that?”
Dana said she grew up in the Bay area where kids didn’t know that she was Latina, but they made fun of the other Hispanic girls and called them “beaners” because they couldn’t speak English.  She regrets not speaking out for them by saying, “What you just said is racist.”  People often deny that they are homophobic or racist, but will recognize that what they said is homophobic or racist.
The floor opened to parent comments.  One parent said she is a lesbian mother who had specific issues arise with her children at school.  She is grateful for the way it was handled by administrators.  One parent commented that so many people have mixed backgrounds now and use derogatory words to describe their own ethnic group, that they have ownership of that word.  We hear them in the media, music, television shows, news reports.  They have become disarmed.   Dana responded saying that kids know when they use those words that they are hateful, and that they are using them in a hateful way.  It is so important to stop it.  The word “gay” is not inherently hurtful, but it is in the way it is said, demeaning and diminutive.  One parent added that “maybe my son is gay, but that’s his issue for him to find out, not for someone to label him with it.”  Dana added that the two boys who committed suicide were of minority ethnicity.  The kids who were harassing them may have felt it was acceptable to call them gay, but they knew they would be called out on racist comments.  We want to cover every minority group.  In a recent incident at a 4j school graffiti with racist and sexual comments caused the community to stop everything and have a school-wide assembly to address the issue.  Everyone knows someone who was hurt by the comments.  Dialog is helpful to achieve a greater understanding.  There is nothing we can’t talk about.

October Parent Council Minutes, October 28, 2009
Principal’s Update--Ellen Brunson presented for Randy Bernstein.
 She said that negotiations are talking place regarding OSAA sports competitions.  At one time schools competed more locally, but a law suit forced South to go across state to play larger schools, increasing expense, travel time and time out of school for athletes.  Negotiations are now in progress for South to play more local teams.
Direct Donation Drive letters have been sent out.  This is the biggest fundraiser at South.  Last year’s donations raised $90K that paid for 5 sections of classes this year.
Technology received a big boost this year.  Almost all classrooms have ceiling mount projectors and document cameras.
Flu illnesses have increased student absences to about 15-20% per day in the last few weeks.  Normal absence rate is about 5%.  Teachers and administrators are giving a lot of thought to work through catching up.  It is hard for students to catch up, hard for teachers to teach with so many students absent.  They are trying to plan, talk and meet needs.
 Financial Update—Cindy Wright
Scrip donations are up a bit, finances are on track.
School Improvement Plan—Mark Rosen
This is the last year of the current 3-year SIP.  Site Council is developing a plan now for the next 3 years.  This is the time to give Site Council information from Parent Council.  We have an opportunity to change the face of our school.  As Chairman of Parent Council, Mark wants to act as a conduit to Site Council with information gathered from parents at Parent Council.  Mark has a personal interest in increasing motivation among SEHS students, and he handed out a list of topics for consideration which parents might like to comment on or add to.  Mark asked parents to introduce themselves and talk about why they are at the meeting, what would they like to see take place, and how we can affect change.
The floor was opened to discussion.  Parents talked about the following concerns:
Posting grades, even though just by ID No., is a problem for some kids, because everybody knows who is who on the list.
We need alternative ways to communicate other than meetings.  Not all families have a voice, they are not represented here tonight.
Some kids are not motivated to succeed, they are content just to skate by.  Some students are just getting it done.  They are not experiencing a desire to learn.
Some students are going to school just part time, they are homeschooling and doing independent studies or Credit Based on Competency (CBOP).
Maybe school shouldn’t start at 8 am.  There is evidence (parent brought Register-Guard article about sleep habits and brain function of teens) that teens do not function well early in the morning.  A later school start pushes back afterschool activities, making them too late for some families.  Ellen Brunson responded that families can request no first period if their student is experiencing difficulties.
Some students are really struggling to complete assignments.  They are doing homework late into the night and still not comprehending content.  Assignments tend to be irregular, teachers pile on homework without regard for how much other work they have to do.  Some parents would like teachers to have more flexible deadlines and allow some late assignments before lowering their grade.
One parent suggested that structural changes might help her student perform better, such as, later start, less homework and a quieter lunch room.  Some kids need quiet space during the day that enables them time to be alone and reflect.
Some students are doing well and have too much time for hanging out.  What kinds of barriers are some kids bumping into that other kids aren’t?  How do we provide different alternatives for different paths?  How can we provide a great education for all kids?  Are students empowered to bring issues to the attention of the administration?
A lively conversation continued after the meeting.