Hutch's bodyguard looks on as former students
and community members disrupt their proselytizing.
Day of Silence speaks volumes
By MARGO HOFFMAN The Mirror
Apr 30 2008
Sometimes silence speaks quite loudly.
Students at Federal Way High School, as well as more than 200 high schools throughout the state, participated in the National Day of Silence event on April 25.
Both homosexual and heterosexual students banded together to raise awareness of the bullying and harassment that gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual students often face. They made their statement by going all day without speaking, instead signing their names to a list of supporters and passing out cards describing their cause.
At lunchtime on Friday, 84 students had already signed up as supporters. More students continued to sign up throughout the day.
“It’s a great demonstration,” said Paul Cantu, a senior at Federal Way and the ASB president. “Everybody’s very supportive.”
Gay and lesbian students at Federal Way are sometimes subject to derogatory language, Cantu said.
“As with anything, there’s going to be a little bit of bullying for people that are different,” he said.
Cantu said he suspects that in several years, people will look back in awe and disgust over the discrimination and harassment that gays and lesbians often face.
Extra participation at Federal Way’s Day of Silence this year was fueled partly because of news of anti-gay protests at a similar event at Snoqualmie Valley’s Mount Si High School, Cantu said. Students at Federal Way were inspired to come forward in support of their school’s diversity.
Read the entire story
...Awesome! Mount Si, setting the standard!
In a related story from World Nuts Daily, they are reporting fabrications worthy of CoDE and Hutch himself!
"Take the Seattle area's Mount Si High School for instance. Out of 1,410 students, nearly half (638) reportedly walked out of school on DOS with a unified voice saying, "No! We're here to learn. We refuse to be subject to radical homosexual indoctrination at school or anywhere else!"
The Rev. Ken Hutcherson, a former pro-football player, current pro-family champion and pastor of Antioch Bible Church, led the charge in defense of God's moral standard at Mount Si. He organized a prayer rally outside the school – which his daughter attends – and was joined by hundreds of parents, children and community members."
Once again, the actual number was 495 out of 1,410. Of those, many were kept home to avoid the protesters (Hutch) not the DoS.
And Hutcherson joined by "HUNDREDS" of parents? There were less than a hundred, as in singular.
These nuts are either delusional or bald faced liars!
24 comments:
So NOW they are saying the students not only walked out but were shouting slogans too?
Or were they being figurative?
Those who support Hutcherson and that group that "has nothing to do with him" would be well advised to pay attention to the actions and distorted claims of these folks.
They are the reasons why the Day of Silence is necessary.
You need to check your facts on the attendance figures. The Snoqualmie Valley Star reported yesterday that nearly 660 students were absent from school on the DOS. I'm sure that if you took the time necessary to check your facts with the Attendance office at the school that they would be happy to confirm that.
Unless of course, there is a reason why you want to low ball the figure...
Frankly, I don't see the reason for your posturing. Seems to me that whether there was a 6 fold increase in children that did not go to school or merely a 4 fold increase over the previous year, you are still talking about a significant percentage of the student body in either case.
So stop splitting hairs trying to put the best face possible onto the situation, the bottom line is that somewhere between 35% to 45% of the students decided that they should be "elsewhere" rather than at the school during that day.
I think it is you who are splitting hairs. some folks are plainly saying that students WALKED OUT OF SCHOOL IN PROTEST OF DAY OF SILENCE.
This simply is not true. Find a place where this is true.
The figure of 495 was provided by the Mount Si attendence office.
It was reported on KING, KOMO, KIRO, the Seattle Times and The Seattle P-I on April 25th.
"Principal Randy Taylor said 495 out of 1,410 students weren't at school, including 85 athletes whose parents had asked that they be excused for their personal beliefs."
Seattle Times
And let's remember these are high school kids and that this was a Friday morning.... Greg Hart sent home a waiver to all the athletes..they didn't have to come in and pick it up in the office, he had it delivered to them... saying that if their parents signed the formed that they could be absent and still play in games that day. Kids said the baseball team had a party...
Other kids said their parents said they could stay home fearing danger from Hutcherson's planned huge demonstration (which did not materialize)... and then the kids were seen cruising by in their cars..
Many of the kids in the counter-demonstration confronting Hutcherson and his group were there in response to the ad Hutcherson placed in the Valley Record -
Irony abounds here.... that as many local folks turned up to air opposition to Hutcherson's presence as outsiders turned up to oppose the Day of Silence.
As a Christian, I am looking forward to the program at the Tolt Church next Wednesday. Hopefully some of the flamers on this blog and folks who have written about homosexuality from what they intend to be a Christian point of view will be there to share in ideas and dialog.
The attendance figures were revised on Monday following the DOS. The news sites quoted above are talking about the preliminary figures that were issued on the DOS.
Nevertheless, are you proud that the school environment was disrupted by a 4 fold increase in lack of attendance because the school decided to pursue a political agenda rather than an education for our students?
I guess you also cheer the efforts of the Anarchists that vandalized the capital in Olympia yesterday. Confrontation, obstruction and destruction is not civil discourse.
Nevertheless, are you proud that the school environment was disrupted by a 4 fold increase in lack of attendance because the school decided to pursue a political agenda rather than an education for our students?
Yes, yes indeed we are proud. We are proud of this generation for standing up against inequality. We are proud that they recognize the bullying and harassment that their peers face.
What is surprising this year is the bullying and harassment they are fighting is not coming from their fellow students, but from the parents of their fellow students. It is the parents who are bullying and harassing the students. Such a great example you set!
The parents make it quite obvious why there is a need for a DoS. You parents are obviously not parenting right if you feel your kids cannot coexist with their gay and lesbian friends! Are you afraid the Gay gene is somehow contagious?
Interestingly enough, as I read over my comments, I did not make any stance on the issue of homosexuality. However, you implied I did so. Interesting the bias that is brought to the conversation. Such open-mindedness!
I personally teach my children that ALL are God's children and that ALL are deserving of respect and that NONE are higher or lower than others and that we should be actively involved in service to each other. This is true tolerance and love.
My comment is and has been strictly that because the school decided to deviate from its state mandated mission of educating our youth in subjects mandated by the state to focus on an issue driven by a special interest group, that at least 3,465 student hours of education did not occur. Such a waste of time, money and resources.
The same political statement could have been made before or after school in the club format that exists for such purposes.
I think the experience this year will push the Day of Silence over the top in the district and that, hopefully, next year we will see it in ALL the schools in the district, not just the high school.
Some of the hate parents' comments on this blog make it clear that the sooner kids can be taught tolerance through the schools the better. It is basically abusive to allow these parents to push their hate and bigotry on these young children unchecked.
I'd like to see an initiative that would allow social agencies to step in and remove children from these situations where they are being turned into mindless bible thumpers.
This is basically the same thing that can sometimes be done when parents refuse to give their kids medical care they need on the basis of religion.
What will it take to break the hold of these outdated superstitions on our society?
An interesting commentary on homosexuality and the Bible. Very informative and thought provoking.
http://www.soulforce.org/article/homosexuality-bible-walter-wink
With regard to the absentee rate at MSHS... what are the comparable absentee rates for the 2 dozen neighboring schools whose Day of Silence was not made an issue by a strident parent group and by a parent who bussed in outsiders for a highly advertised demonstration?
It would be informative to compare the experience with schools whose GSA's and Day of Silence were not targeted by parent groups.
My comment is and has been strictly that because the school decided to deviate from its state mandated mission of educating our youth in subjects mandated by the state to focus on an issue driven by a special interest group, that at least 3,465 student hours of education did not occur. Such a waste of time, money and resources.
Since when has civics NOT been part of our secular education system?
During their formative years students are graded on their citizenship in our school system.
By High School, we assume these young adults are capable of being well adjusted and respectful citizens. They are not graded on their behavior, but disciplined if it violates policies.
And as young adults, they need to be prepared to face the dialog society will impose upon them as adults. Civics is an ongoing aspect of evry students education.
I don't understand why you are so opposed to it. Well actually I do, but your reasoning is illogical.
...the school decided to deviate from its state mandated mission of educating our youth in subjects mandated by the state to focus on an issue driven by a special interest group, that [sic] at least 3,465 student hours of education did not occur.
Perhaps you could choose to apply your fine mathematical skills to calculating the educational time lost due to the WASL when all mixed classes (with 10th graders and other grades)are essentially canceled for two weeks of every school year, not to mention the preparation for a singular test, the results of which are not available until the following year. These tests do nothing to advance the education of individual students, yet they overwhelm the efforts of all teachers to educate our children. There are so many other things of greater import than a day when some students are granted the privilege of being silent unless called upon. Can we please find a way to focus on the more important issues we, and our children, confront?
Mark Joselyn
*snide comment*
Huh, you don't believe that testing is part of the educational process? And why should you? That just means that the school is making sure that the students meet some objective bar instead of educational relativism.
*/snide comment*
Look, I am not the biggest fan of the WASL but testing is needed and whether it be the WASL or the ITBS test or the PSAT or any number of standardized tests that help measure our students against an objective standard to make sure that they are getting taught the skills that are necessary, we need the testing.
But hey Mark, if it is educational relativism mixed with political activism that you want in the schools, there is always Evergreen college to look forward to for your college bound kids.
My comment is and has been strictly that because the school decided to deviate from its state mandated mission of educating our youth in subjects mandated by the state to focus on an issue driven by a special interest group, that at least 3,465 student hours of education did not occur. Such a waste of time, money and resources.
So by your reasoning, how many student hours were wasted on the MLK day assembly? How are Hutch's personal life experiences possibly relavent to the students education?
Where is your outrage over this waste of time and money?
How about pep assemblies? No visible preperation for the WASL happening there!
For that matter, while students are failing the Math WASL, should they really be distracted with sports? Perhaps sports are detracting from more important academic priorites?
I hope you are beginning to see the point, but I won't hold my breath...
I have visited Evergreen and it looks lovely. It is one of many great colleges WA offers students. It may be a bit more liberal and not a great fit for all students but that does not mean it is not a great place.
I agree with Mark. The WASL is an awful measure of children's skills. It is poorly written and too time consuming. There are not enough opportunities for children with learning problems to skip the test too without it penalizing the school. I saw a sad show where a school in Seattle that has 40+ languages spoken and new students from war torn countries that still has to administer the tests. It seems illogical to force a child that is new to this country to take the tests but they were showing how there are few waivers available and opting out can lower the schools score overall.
Some standards are good but the WASL is not the answer.
My husband has an honors degree and attended a top university and was helping our child with the WASL study packet. He was blown away by how poorly many of the questions were written.
As far as the Day of Silence is concerned, the absentee numbers were much higher this year than in past years and the only difference I am aware of was Hutcherson and his protestors.
If people really are so narrow minded they want to do away with the a Day of Silence which occurs in 7000+ other schools nationwide with little fanfare they should just shut up. The more protests that it generates the more attention it brings and the more powerful the day becomes.
I do not understand why the conservatives in the valley that are so troubled by the Day of Silence do not just homeschool their own children. It seems to me that would allow you more control for a little longer until the kids enter the real world and see that gays are protected in the work place as are other minorities and bullying does not change that fact.
I really do feel like all of these people who protested too much are Larry Craig types.
As a happily married heterosexual woman I can say that I have more going on in my life than to worry about than a group of students who want to remain silent. I am also confident enough in my parenting that I trust my children will make choices that fit our family values regardless of what they are exposed to by other students.
I really hope that none of the CoDE parents or Hutcherson supporters end up with a gay child that is bullied. What horrible message are you sending to them that their being a little different is so worthy of all this energy.
Your children are much more likely to be damaged by drugs in the high school and violence than silence.
And some students walked out because of their teachers' hypocritical behavior. See the link below. Also interesting to see how CLOSE-MINDED the students supporting DoS were. Not surprising since we see the same INTOLERANCE from their parents on this site.
Mount Si is a sad institution. Hopefully we get a principal next year interest in EDUCATION and not spending so much time pushing the gay agenda on our innocent children.
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20080503/OPINION03/592742989
I am very puzzled. I have spoken with former students, friends of my kids, teachers... I learned that Friday, the Day of Silence, there was a lot of learning. Regular curriculum was taught and discussed in class, in science classes, in literature classes. There was less crowding in classes, due to the absenteeism, and that some good presentations and discussions of the regular curriculum were had. I have talked to many different people and have yet to hear of classes devoted to a "gay agendat", so, as I said, I am truly puzzled by the posts that complain of a "gay agenda being pushed on innocent children". Does anyone have any specific example of this? I have been unable to find any, and I have talked to a lot of people.
One thing that has been reiterated by many is that if Rich McCullough had been superintendent and if Dave Humphrey had been principal this entire thing would have been handled in a manner that would have avoided and mitigated the damages that continue to occur from the polarization of our school community.
Given that we don't have that leadership, how can we best work together to make Mt Si the excellent school that it has the potential to be? I would propose compassionate listening and reaching out for understanding rather than threats and lectures!!
And VERIFIABLE information! To those of you who contend that the Day of Silence was not a day of learning in the regular curriculum along side pointing out the need for tolerance of those we perceive as different, have you really checked with your kids' teachers?? Or have you just listened to gossip?
I have found that at MtSi, as at the other schools in our neighborhood where the Day of Silence was observed, curriculum was covered, homework was assigned, tests were given..
Wow, maybe we're all over-analyzing this attendance issue. Lesse, it's Friday - a half day anyway - and the kids have all been given a 'get out of school free' card! Thinking back to my high school days it's not difficult to imagine the (lack of) attendance under such circumstances!
Anonymous said: (boy am I tired of this 'Anonymous' baloney)
Also interesting to see how CLOSE-MINDED the students supporting DoS were.
Let's see, the students supporting the Day of Silence were, um, silent. Now that's the kind of close mindedness I wish others might choose to practice.
One of the things I do know about the Day of Silence is that a student member of the Conservative Club, who normally attends Running Start and would not have been in school on Friday dressed as Uncle Sam and stood at a table in the foyer all day blasting 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic' on a boom box. He was not asked to reign in his inappropriate behavior. Those in support of the day, including the GSA, were not allowed to hang posters or have a table set up any where in school in support of the Day. It was a good day at school for those in attendance. I agree with Mary that I have yet to hear any evidence to the contrary having spoken with many students, staff and teachers.
Mark Joselyn
From that Herald Opinion piece;
"I think it is very hypocritical that my teachers can talk about being for evolution and being gay but not about God or being against being gay or lesbian, 'cause God made marriage for a man and a woman and this is not fair. If they can't say one, then they shouldn't be allowed to say the other. I understand that they can't talk about God because it would be offensive to some students, but I find being gay or supportive of being gay offensive to me. So I left. I seriously want to drop the class now even."
Because evolution is SCIENCE? You cannot "be for evolution", that's like "being for gravity"! The writer has no credibility if she cannot draw that simple distinction.
There is nothing scientific about God.
Are you familiar with the history of the marriage concept?
Why should society listen to a group of individuals that boast 60%+ divorce rate in their 'sanctity' of mariage?
No one asks for you to be "for gays", any more than someone telling me I should be "for religion."
If you expect respect for your crazy doctrines, then the least we can ask is similar respect for those that do not share your convictions.
I think it is you who are splitting hairs. some folks are plainly saying that students WALKED OUT OF SCHOOL IN PROTEST OF DAY OF SILENCE.
This simply is not true. Find a place where this is true.
When the protest started and at lunch, plenty of students against the DoS left school to join in the festivities.
Wow, maybe we're all over-analyzing this attendance issue. Lesse, it's Friday - a half day anyway - and the kids have all been given a 'get out of school free' card! Thinking back to my high school days it's not difficult to imagine the (lack of) attendance under such circumstances!
It was by no means a free day. We were told that our classes would be the same, which for those that attended school, found meant more difficult. Attendence was counted against students just as any other day. Plus since there are half days all of the time most people don't skip them anymore.
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