USSN: Speaking Up

“Support for School Trustrees” NOVATO ADVANCE – sent April 30, 2003

Editor:

I fully support Trustees Ross Millerick, Roger Collins, William King, and Perry Newman, the 4 board members who were criticized in the 4/23 letter. I applaud their courage and vision in the face of misinformation and attacks. We are so fortunate to have School Trustees who understand that diversity education needs to include all protected groups, and that this is true whether or not we 'approve' of these groups. California state law requires schools to provide a safe environment for optimum learning; these particular Trustees are taking care of our schools and our children.

We are not in a "diversity quagmire." We are moving forward with mainstream diversity education. To call diversity education that includes ALL of our students, staff and families "politically correct" marginalizes the issue. Let's not use terms like this to dismiss the anti-gay teasing that continues to take place in our schools. Let's not relegate those who are from 'alternative' families to a status that disallows a discussion of their family. All children have a right to be and feel included, important, accepted, respected, and safe in our schools. In order to achieve this we need to include everyone in our diversity discussion, not just those we feel comfortable with or approve of.

Our board represents every child in the school system. When a teacher talks about "family" every student in that classroom has the right to be represented. This diversity education will help each student feel included and important, as well as teach students to respect each other as equal members of the classroom. Then and only then will students feel safe, confident, and interested enough to attend to their other lessons.

Furthermore, I am angered reading letters to the editor criticizing these trustees for not supporting certain personal beliefs and focusing on an election still six months away when we are in the midst of a financial crisis in our schools. I've watched this board operate, including those four trustees who support diversity, and they work hard to support our children. They need our support right now in this time of crisis. It's time we focus on other pressing issues and allow the diversity pilot project to move forward.

Susan White
United for Safe Schools


	“Support for School Trustrees” NOVATO ADVANCE – sent April 30, 2003 Editor: I fully support Trustees Ross Millerick, Roger Collins, William King, and Perry Newman, the 4 board members who were criticized in the 4/23 letter. I applaud their courage and vision in the face of misinformation and attacks. We are so fortunate to have School Trustees who understand that diversity education needs to include all protected groups, and that this is true whether or not we 'approve' of these groups. California state law requires schools to provide a safe environment for optimum learning; these particular Trustees are taking care of our schools and our children. We are not in a "diversity quagmire." We are moving forward with mainstream diversity education. To call diversity education that includes ALL of our students, staff and families "politically correct" marginalizes the issue. Let's not use terms like this to dismiss the anti-gay teasing that continues to take place in our schools. Let's not relegate those who are from 'alternative' families to a status that disallows a discussion of their family. All children have a right to be and feel included, important, accepted, respected, and safe in our schools. In order to achieve this we need to include everyone in our diversity discussion, not just those we feel comfortable with or approve of. Our board represents every child in the school system. When a teacher talks about "family" every student in that classroom has the right to be represented. This diversity education will help each student feel included and important, as well as teach students to respect each other as equal members of the classroom. Then and only then will students feel safe, confident, and interested enough to attend to their other lessons. Furthermore, I am angered reading letters to the editor criticizing these trustees for not supporting certain personal beliefs and focusing on an election still six months away when we are in the midst of a financial crisis in our schools. I've watched this board operate, including those four trustees who support diversity, and they work hard to support our children. They need our support right now in this time of crisis. It's time we focus on other pressing issues and allow the diversity pilot project to move forward. Susan White United for Safe Schools
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