The first Safe Schools Seminar is this Wednesday, October 8, from 6:00-7:30 in Erickson 252. The topic is "One in Ten: Issues of Sexual Orientation in Schools". Pizza will be provided. :-)
The question of how diversity is represented in children's books and whether a broad range of books are offered to children is a major theme in our course, so I encourage you all to attend!
For extra credit, you'll need to sign in when you arrive, take some notes, and do a short (1 page) write up about what you learned, how the topic connects to themes of the course, and/or what new questions the seminar raised for you. To receive credit, you need to submit your review within a week of the event. I'll put a drop-box up on Angel for extra credit.
I'll say something in class about the event as well!
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I attended the “Safe Schools Seminar” on Wednesday, October 8th. The topic was “One in Ten: Issues of Sexual Orientation in Schools.” This topic connected with our TE 348 class because we did talk about the diversity of children’s books in order to offer children to get familiar with sexual relationships they might not have knowledge on. Our professor was there and responded to one question that I found very interesting informing the group that there is a blog called “Worth the Trip” which includes books on gay’s for children literature, helping with communication to deal with this issue. Something I never thought about was what if I do have a student who has two mothers or two fathers. This opened my eyes because when I was in elementary school we did have daddy doughnut day for father’s day and mother day parties. This would be something I would have to address to the classroom. Throughout all of school years in Novi none of my teachers ever talked about gay relationships so I was interested when they were telling us that we could address the class about gay relationships. Not discussing the sex aspect but the family part, having two mothers or two fathers under one roof. I was curious about informing my students about this topic. I could definitely see some parents getting very mad because they might believe it is their choice and right to tell their children this information if they decide to not the teachers. One gentle man answered that it is my right to inform students of different types of families. If the parents do get mad I could discuss what issue bothered them about the topic. I could inform them about some information to help them understand that it is not bad to discuss this with children. Also, find out how your principal feels about gay issues because if they are also supporting how you feel then you have people in the school community to help you. Another appealing topic that I was informed about was the “pink triangle” which symbolizes that everyone is accepted. A straight older male who recently is a new physic’s teacher in the Brighton school district informed us that he put the pink triangle on the door to his classroom. Some of his students were confused on what the meaning was so he told them to research it and they found out that it means, “Everyone is accepted.” Later to find out that a youth group was discussing this issue on their blog. Some students felt very uncomfortable with this issue not agreeing with it at all because of religion reasons. They were against same gender relationships some of these students were enrolled in his physics class. A week or so later the principal asked him to take the pink triangle down. They did not inform him what would happen if he refused to take it down but there would be consequences. I found this completely unfair! Based the first amendment freedom of speech he has a right to have that on his door if he wants. I was completely shocked that they asked him to take it down, I find it very wrong. If this happens and you want to continue supporting this there are actions you can take. Talking to a union representative and talk to ACLU (Jay Kaplin) about the situation. I found this seminar very helpful on how I can address and handle different situations if this comes up while I am a teacher. I believe everyone should attend at least one of these seminars because you would find it helpful.
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