Queer School

[John Doe]

And that, friends is the bottom line.

I love the idea of charter schools. I think holding back a kid in the name of fairness from his or her potential is kind of criminal. Kids are not pawns in some political game, they are people with a range of potential, and some kids will never reach that potential in the same environment as other kids, whether you are talking about someone with a learning disability, someone who needs to be tracked in an accelerated program, or someone who is at-risk.

The job of schools is to educate, not to enforce a mediorcre standard for the society.

In my very working-class neighborhood an excellent charter school was closed by the school board in the late 80's. The reason? The kids were doing too well, it wasn't fair. These were not wealthy kids, these were intelligent and exceptional working class kids who should have been going on to the better colleges. I think a program like this today would have a better shot.

The kids going to Harvey Milk, and I met them in high school, they did a program at our assembly-- would not have stood a chance in most NYC area schools, public OR private. They would not have done well in my extremely "liberal and enlightened" private school, where homophobia was the last "ok" prejudice. I could tell you this even as a 17 year old. If HMI has a 95% graduation rate, well, fuck, it's got to be a good thing. We can argue abstractions all day long, I want my community to be educated, graduated, and given a fair chance, not only the kids who manage to closet themselves most successfully, but the flamboyant, creative and brilliant souls who just can't do that, too.

I agree wholeheartedly, which is why I believe that any child who is having trouble in a typical school environment should be considered for these charter schools, not just the ones who are having trouble because they're Gay, Lesbian or otherwise 'queer.' anything else is discrimination based on sexual orientation, instead of academic performence and social adjustment and that's no better than what the bullies do.

 

[TexasJay]

Again

Again, asked and answered. But to expand on my suggestions, we ought to look to the parents as well, for most bullies come from parents who were/are bullies.

And I think "slamming" is a rather strong word.

Your last paragraph is personal and not conducive to dispassionate debate, so it is disregarded.

I think Mer's point in starting this thread was not to debate, but to give kudos to someone offering kids an alternative, so that they could get the education they need and deserve in a safe and conducive environment.

I apologize to all who took offense at my remark regarding bullying. However, Webster's provides the following definition: Bully. Doing something by threatening loudly, browbeat, bulldoze. Seems to me that the original intent of this thread was hijacked, with an ensuing melee. Stup's entitled to his thoughts, but not to beat others out of their equally valid thoughts. That, IMHO, is the definition of a bully. Yes, Stup, society would be better off without bullies. But as has been pointed out, is that realistic?

 

[John Doe]

I think Mer's point in starting this thread was not to debate, but to give kudos to someone offering kids an alternative, so that they could get the education they need and deserve in a safe and conducive environment.

That's all well and good, and she did that, but within reasonable limits it's out of her and anyone'se else's sole control where it goes after that.

I apologize to all who took offense at my remark regarding bullying. However, Webster's provides the following definition: Bully. Doing something by threatening loudly, browbeat, bulldoze. Seems to me that the original intent of this thread was hijacked, with an ensuing melee. Stup's entitled to his thoughts, but not to beat others out of their equally valid thoughts. That, IMHO, is the definition of a bully.

The question still remains: How does that apply to me? I've disagreed and offered alternative courses of action. How have I been threatening, loud, bulldozing, insulting or abusive?

Yes, Stup, society would be better off without bullies. But as has been pointed out, is that realistic?

It may be and maybe it isn't, but we don't really know for sure that it can't be done until we try. In any case, it's no excuse to simply let bullies run rampant.

 

[69forever]

I think shorter days would help, along with smaller class sizes. A dress code as well. I think those would also help many other discipline problems besides bullying.

My what a novel and groundbreaking idea. Then at the end of the day they can all return to their little ticky tacky houses all built in a row. How absurd.

Absolutlely! A strict dress code should be enforced today. Maybe one day out of the week or on a special holiday could be a "free dress day" like on a Friday. I agree, shorter school days and smaller classes would defintely be a great help. Educators have been screaming that for the last 20 years!

Indeed.....shove them into that mold in preperation for a life of the mundane existence of the status quo. Let's just squash their individuality and help stamp out the creative differences that put them at risk in the first place.

We need to encourage and nurture their individuality and creativity. Such individuals grow into our great play-writes, authors, painters, actors and even scientists.

{{{{{{ Mer }}}}}} Something good happening in WI anyway. I'd like to know more to share with the LGBT Center here in Milwaukee.

 

[John Doe]

My what a novel and groundbreaking idea. Then at the end of the day they can all return to their little ticky tacky houses all built in a row. How absurd.




Indeed.....shove them into that mold in preperation for a life of the mundane existence of the status quo. Let's just squash their individuality and help stamp out the creative differences that put them at risk in the first place.

We need to encourage and nurture their individuality and creativity. Such individuals grow into our great play-writes, authors, painters, actors and even scientists.

{{{{{{ Mer }}}}}} Something good happening in WI anyway. I'd like to know more to share with the LGBT Center here in Milwaukee.

How on Earth can clothes squash their individuality or creativity? The Military wears uniforms, but they're developing new technoologies all the time. Your objection is simply not logical and it lacks evidentiary support.

 

[69forever]

How on Earth can clothes squash their individuality or creativity? The Military wears uniforms, but they're developing new technoologies all the time. Your objection is simply not logical and it lacks evidentiary support.

Does not the unwilling imposition of a dress code reflect forcing someone elses will/disipline upon these kids? YES. The military wears uniforms to promote lack of individuality. It's needed in combat units, not high schools.

What's not logical about that?

 

[John Doe]

Does not the unwilling imposition of a dress code reflect forcing someone elses will/disipline upon these kids? YES. The military wears uniforms to promote lack of individuality. It's needed in combat units, not high schools.

What's not logical about that?

Dress codes help instill dicipline, yes. Discipline does not discourage individuality or creativity though. Clothes are for protection from the elements and for modesty. Beyond that they are superficial. true individuality and creativity is internal.

Yes, in a way it is imposing our will on them, but that's what adults in supervisory, protective and authority roles over children are supposed to do, because children are too immature and inexperienced to have full use of thier own will. That again does not necessarily squash individuality or creativity.

Uniforms are to promote uniformity in dress and appearance, hence the term 'uniform.' In the Military it is most certainly also used to promote uniformity in thought and action, but not all uniforms necessarily do that without other implimentations of discipline. take McDonald's or UPS for example. They wear uniforms, but they're not nearly as regimented as the Military.

In any case, if violence continues to be so prevelant in schools, then maybe that discpline is needed, or at least some kind of discipline that is more or different than it is now.

 

[John Doe]

I don't really see any point in my continuing in this discussion. It doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

 

[TexasJay]

Ditto!

My what a novel and groundbreaking idea. Then at the end of the day they can all return to their little ticky tacky houses all built in a row. How absurd.




Indeed.....shove them into that mold in preperation for a life of the mundane existence of the status quo. Let's just squash their individuality and help stamp out the creative differences that put them at risk in the first place.

We need to encourage and nurture their individuality and creativity. Such individuals grow into our great play-writes, authors, painters, actors and even scientists.

{{{{{{ Mer }}}}}} Something good happening in WI anyway. I'd like to know more to share with the LGBT Center here in Milwaukee.

{{{{{{{{{{{ Mer }}}}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ Mer's Friends with the school }}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ 69 }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ Stup }}}}}}}}}}}}}

I envision schools such as these giving these kids the tools they need to help change their world for the better. Can you imagine kids getting the education and acceptance they need to realize their full potential, and become fully empowered and participating members of society, as opposed to hiding in the shadows and fearing to express themselves for fear of recrimination?

Bullies engage in their behaviour because of fear and lack of understanding. Without mainstream, positive role models, that fear and ignorance will continue.

Schools like these will generate the articulate and intelligent members of society who will help tear down the barriers.

Stup, I appreciate where you are coming from, and encourage you to continue in the debate!

I am going to point out one misconception you have, Stup. The military doesn't design their own weapons. They may set general specs, but industry develops the designs.

And 69, I agree with the idea of uniforms. I think it was some innercity schools in Chicago [may be wrong about the location] that went to uniforms, and the result was that kids focused less on looking good and more on academics. That's a good thing!

 

[John Doe]

{{{{{{{{{{{ Mer }}}}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ Mer's Friends with the school }}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ 69 }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{ Stup }}}}}}}}}}}}}

I am going to point out one misconception you have, Stup. The military doesn't design their own weapons. They may set general specs, but industry develops the designs.

I wasn't refering to weapons (except perhaps for laser weaposn which are being developed and tested directly by the Army, and a few other exceptions).

Ayway, I should caution you about hugging me. I may or may not grab your ass.

 

[funwdi]

Hey GLBT'ers,

I just wanted to pass on some good news for the GLBT community.

My friends are opening a charter school for any high school kid that doesn't fit in because of sexuality, gender, appearance, or whathaveyou. It will open in August and I just wanted to start a thread where we can offer up some "Happy Snaps" for this great thing!

If you are in Wisconsin and have or know kids who should be enrolled in this school, PM me, and I'll have them get in touch with you. I don't want to post too much here, until I have permission to do so].

****YAY SCHOOL**** [/QUOTE

Mer

I think that we are missing the point. These people are trying to do something GREAT here.
Thank you for your efforts, Mer! It may take some fine-tuning, but whatever you do will be better for the kids! YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!

 

[John Doe]

Mer

I think that we are missing the point. These people are trying to do something GREAT here.
Thank you for your efforts, Mer! It may take some fine-tuning, but whatever you do will be better for the kids! YOU ARE INCREDIBLE!

I don't think anyone is saying this is not a good thing or that it's even bad, but what I am saying is that it's woefully incomplete IMO.