Bayli Silberstein, Bisexual Eighth-Grader, Speaks Out As Florida School Board Tries To Block GSA
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/bayli-silberstein-bisexual-makes-stand-florida-school-board-trying-block-sa_n_2719339.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Education (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/20/bayli-silberstein-bisexual-makes-stand-florida-school-board-trying-block-sa_n_2719339.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003&ir=Education)
The Huffington Post | By Meredith Bennett-Smith
According to the Orlando Sentinel, eighth-grader Bayli Silberstein, an openly bisexual 14-year-old, has been working to get a GSA at Carver Middle School since last year, and she now has the backing of the ACLU and many in her community.
Silberstein said she is hoping the club will help support LGBT students who feel bullied because of their sexual identity at Carver, according to Florida-based broadcaster WFTV.
But school officials seem less than enthused about the idea, reportedly denying her initial request for the club and delaying their response.
Apparently inspired in part by Silberstein's activism at Carver, the Lake County School Board is weighing restrictions that would place limits on on extra-curricular clubs in area middle schools. Earlier in February, board members Bill Mathias and Debbie Stivender, along with Chairwoman Kyleen Fischer, spoke in favor of banning all extra-curricular clubs in secondary schools, with two other members proposing they apply the proposed limits only in middle schools. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Chairwoman Fischer in particular spoke out against any sort of "social engineering" in schools.
They're worried that GSA stormtroopettes will ascend on them with their Hello Kitty bubble blowers and demand equal rights for all. The Horror of it;equality for all.
Lorri, thank you for that amazing mental image.
I mean it.
The title of this thread really struck me, as I actually have had that sort of experience. Not with LGBT organizations, mind you, but with bullying in general.
When I was in middle school I was bullied constantly, and being the good kid I was, I went to the administration for help like we were supposed to. Repeatedly. Ultimately nothing came of it, as while a few staffers were sympathetic, those in positions of actual power just didn't want to be bothered. The principal was counting the days until retirement, while the vice principal literally didn't care about the problem. A few years later when my brother was having academic problems, those same administrators basically told my parents that they were not going to honor his IEP without a fight in court. So administrators not giving a damn about their students doesn't surprise me. "Why help students with problems when ignoring them is so much easier? Especially with middle schools: they'll be gone in two years."
Here's hoping the club succeeds.
What I've discovered is that many school administrators do not know how to deal with issues such as bullying. Some swept controversial issues and events under the rug. School districts are more concerned about funding for the next budget rather than their students.
School is a place where supposedly young people can explore and express themselves. I believe that many kids quit school because of the repressive nature of some districts. As far as what Kyleen Fisher says regarding 'social engineering', her maintaining a repressive and controlling environment is tantamount to social engineering. She and others lie her don't encourage any critical thinking. She's willing to deny other students extracurricular activities just so as to not to have a GSA where LGBT students in her school can feel safe and participate in school. That's not too bright on her part. Something like this will create more problems.
Also, remember that many school administrators are wage hostages of their School Boards. Not defending them, but at the administrator level they themselves have less job security than line teachers and are more the slaves of the elected Boards. Not good!!
A crappy set of Administrators is the sign of something rotten higher up!!
Quote from: Vicky on February 27, 2013, 12:12:22 PM
Also, remember that many school administrators are wage hostages of their School Boards. Not defending them, but at the administrator level they themselves have less job security than line teachers and are more the slaves of the elected Boards. Not good!!
A crappy set of Administrators is the sign of something rotten higher up!!
Nods.. cliques with a Napoleon Complex run many schools.