Important Information from the Executive Director of Girls Inc of the Island City

Dear WCC Members,

You may know that the Alameda Unified School District is proposing to add a component to the Caring Schools Community curriculum that provides teachers with lessons and tools for talking about LGBT individuals. Our Board voted unanimously to support the inclusion of this component. Marilyn and I crafted the following letter which will appear in the local papers, was sent to the Board of Education (BOE) members, and will be read at the upcoming May 12 BOE meeting. I am also a member of the CARE steering committee, a group who is working to support the school district's laudable plan.

Karen Kenny
Executive Director
Girls Inc of the Island City
http://www.girlsincislandcity.org


Dear Editor,
Organizations like Girls Inc. exist because stereotypes and gender discrimination toward girls and women are still present in society. Bullying among, and toward, girls and women in schools and the workplace still occurs all too often. Intentional curriculum addressing this form of harassment is critical to creating safe environments for girls in educational, social and afterschool settings.
The same is true for LGBT individuals. LGBT students frequently endure uninformed, hurtful and often hateful messages. The scars that result from this type of ignorant and cruel behavior are not always visible but are most certainly felt by the innocent victim. The deconstruction of harmful words and actions is critical to ensuring that LGBT students are mentally and physically safe. Adding specific curriculum that teaches children respect for LGBT individuals is essential to maintaining safe school environments where all students can thrive. As we protect and educate all of our students, we help young people grow into productive contributing members of society.
We strongly support the addition of the LGBT component to the Caring Schools Community curriculum as an important first step in addressing the needs of all groups in our community.

Sincerely,
Marilyn Sandifur
President, Girls Inc. of the Island City