On this page you will find:

1. Preparing to create a forum on GLB Youth for a school
2. Proposals for GLB Youth Forum Program

• The four teachers met and worked out a proposal
• We then presented our proposal to the principal and prepared ourselves to do any educational work necessary
• After we had her support we refined our plan and put together a workshop and materials which we then presented to her
• The principal engaged in conversation with people in the district’s central office
• We offered a faculty workshop to interested persons and began a series of newsletters. We included a central office person on the agenda
• We contacted outside resources so that we would have support as needed (a minister who could contact other ministers, a psychologist who specializes in GLB issues, a youth organization for GLB youth, a GLB community center/clearing house, P-FLAG)
• We offered the first workshop and began plans for two others (a panel of GLB youth and parents of youth, a “GLB 101” workshop offered by the local GLB community center)
• Following these we will begin work on other areas.

Initial Meeting with the principal:
Goal:  To get her support
 

Preparation:

• Talked about the need for work with GLB issues
• Researched and prepared a rationale based on national information as well as local information
• Decided on our objectives for the program
• Created an early draft of the program in the form of a proposal

Meeting with _____ (May 30, 2002)
Agenda

• We’ve been talking and feel compelled to talk with you:
• A few years ago you held a faculty meeting on struggles gay and lesbian students face in schools.
• Over time, we are finding that more students and parents are approaching some of us about sexual orientation struggles.
• Some graduated students have spoken to some of us saying that their school experience would have been better had they known someone with whom they could talk while they were here.
• Given the needs expressed by some students and parents, research, and the district’s efforts to make all youth feel welcome so that they can better succeed, we profoundly feel the need to make ourselves available to students and parents dealing with sexual orientation issues. 
• We have been researching the need to provide more support for GLB students and have done some preliminary inquiry of local schools:
• Rationale (handout)
• Quick “run through” of what local schools are doing
• Want to ask for your support in putting together a safe place program to begin in September to make the school a better place for GLB and questioning students.
• Objectives and Proposals (handout)

2002-2003 School Year Proposal:
Rationale:

Why we must take a proactive stance against homophobia and heterosexism: (see the workshop page for what we presented)

Objectives:

• Preserve and further fulfill the
• Vision of _____ Schools: The _____ Schools will work with the parents and community to become the largest excellent school district in the state of Ohio by 2005; provide a progressive educational program in a safe, inviting and nurturing environment; and use a variety of instructional strategies, utilizing current technology to acquire and expand knowledge; to meet the needs of all students.  (From the Continuous Improvement Plan 2001-2002)
• Mission of _____ High School is to provide a safe and inviting learning environment where individuals work to achieve their highest potential.  Students, staff, parents, and community will work together to ensure that all individuals grow socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.
• Philosophy of _____ High School: We, the staff of _____ High School believe the school's responsibility extends to all students. We believe programs should be established to permit all students to achieve to the best of their ability.  We believe that the learning experiences offered should provide all students with the opportunity to develop the human, academic, and technical skills necessary to meet the demands of our society.
  We believe that the staff should prepare students to accept the rights, duties, and obligations of citizenship in our society.  Democratic principles should be examined because they guide our government, our lives, and our educational system.  We believe each student should develop an awareness of the changing nature of our society and a sense of responsibility for its improvement.
• _____ Community Character Education Program: “The _____ is all about Character, Community and Commitment.” Values promoted include: tolerance, citizenship, fairness, caring, loyalty, integrity, respect, and honesty among others.
• Educate
• Students
• School newspaper feature early in the year
• The struggles of some GLB teens (probably a generalized article)
• Explanation of the forum
• Notice that the names of some available persons available are located in the Guidance Office (maybe posted on a bulletin board or in the hands of _____)
• Faculty and staff
• Workshops offered three times each year (late September, January and March) (about one hour with optional attendance for administration, faculty and staff)
• Newsletters (monthly) for participants with extras available for those who want them
• Resources
• More ideas for helping
• News and information
• Support
• The GLB students, administration, faculty and staff of _____ as well as their allies
• Share with people from _____ who are working on GLB issues in other schools