Letters
November 19, 2009
By Contributed
SVSD ducking issue
Once again the Snoqualmie School District ducks the issue of support for LGBT students in the high school as evidenced in “School district outlines steps for complaints” (Nov. 5).
The parent who had an issue about a teacher teaching “gay poetry” before the Day of Silence should have been informed that just as teachers teach poets Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou during Black History Month and teach Nobel Prize-winning poets on the day the Nobel Prize for literature is awarded, some teachers at Mount Si choose to honor and respect the contributions of LGBT poets and writers by teaching them during a topical time in the school year.
In this case, the poet shared with students by the teacher was Walt Whitman, you know, the radical poet known as one of the most influential poets in the American canon who wrote “Leaves of Grass. “
Come on, SVSD, it’s time to stand up to these bullies and embrace all students in an open, accepting and caring way – it’s time to start actively supporting your mission statement: Foster acceptance, appreciation and respect among students for themselves and others in the tradition of the cultural and ethnic diversity of our community, nation and world. This means taking an active and open stance to make sure that LGBT students feel welcomed and supported by you. You could start by acknowledging their existence.
Kit McCormick
former teacher at Mount Si High School
Thank you for help on Veterans Day
On behalf of Kiwanis we want to thank the many groups and individuals who came together on Veterans Day to celebrate our vets and our seniors at the Mount Si Lutheran Church. The sense of community, love and support for our Valley seniors and Veterans was awesome. Joel Estey spoke on behalf of the veterans honoring their years of service. Ruth Tolmasoff spoke on behalf of the Mount Si Senior Center. Kiwanis cooked up lunch for 75 people and the community and Girl Scouts provided treats for all. The Girl Scouts presented the American flag and led us in the pledge of allegiance. They also waited tables. The Snoqualmie Valley Women in Business trio together with the Girl Scouts and a few boy scouts led a sing-along of American traditional songs with solos by some of our upcoming Valley young singers. Aleili and her troupe entertained us with dance. It was a big party and a lot of fun. There is no power for peace and happiness greater than a community coming together to care about their own. Thank you all for making this a special day.
Debby Peterman
North Bend
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