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Building Kind Schools and Communities

Archive for August 2012

Blog post from Dover-Eyota, MN superintendent, “Is There a Bully in Your Home?”

I was directed to this very insightful blog written by a local rural Minnesota superintendent.  He raises some critical questions we, as parents and adults with youth around us, would be wise to consider if we care about peer abuse and teaching youth to treat others with kindness and respect. Please read and share with others.

http://desuperintendentblog.blogspot.com – “Is There a Bully in Your Home?”

Preparing for the Upcoming School Year

As educators are preparing for the coming school year, here is an awesome resource to help incorporate lessons and activities that promote kindness and compassion in the classroom.

{ Click on the image above!}

What do you say to “That’s So Gay!”

Great suggestions!! This is one of the many, many great resources on the terrific website for Welcoming Schools. Check it out and share!

Welcoming Schools - A project from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

What Do You Say to “That’s So Gay?”

Stop It:

  • Keep it simple with quick responses. You could say:
    • “Remember, we don’t use put-downs in this class.”
    • “It’s not OK to say ‘That’s so gay.’”
    • “It’s not OK to use that phrase.”
    • “What did you mean by that?”
    • “Do you know what ‘gay’ means?”
    • “You may not have meant to be hurtful, but when you use the word ‘gay’ to mean something is bad or stupid, it is hurtful.”
    • “Do you know why it is hurtful?”
  • If you have the time and opportunity to educate on the spot, do it. If you don’t, make time later.

Educate:

  • If you have been hearing the phrase “That’s so gay” used to mean that something is bad or stupid, take the time during a class meeting or group time to make sure that your students know what “gay” means and know why it is hurtful to use it as an insult.

 

Read the rest of the article HERE