Posted by gold66801 (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 2:45 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Deepthoughts (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I know this question doesn't relate to ESU, but it’s a “Because I asked” type – I submitted the following question for Superintendent Heim’s chat, but didn’t get an answer – perhaps a gazette reader can answer this for me.

Is Emporia School District sponsoring the "Day of Silence" that the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) is promoting because there is a website that lists all the school districts for each state that are thought to be participating and Emporia was listed. If Emporia Schools are not directly sponsoring the “Day of Silence” is a group of students doing this (perhaps a club)? If anyone is promoting the “Day of Silence” school district or group of students, can someone tell me what activities are planned to promote this?

Posted by toninj (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 8:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you to the Gazette for clarifying this rumor. I am glad to hear that ESU understands the importance of keeping the Art program. It is a great department and adds much to our community!

To address the "Day of Silence" for those of you that are concerned that our district will be participating. The date is April 25, and I would encourage parents to go to the American Family Association's Action Alert web site to get more information regarding this issue.

Posted by whatever (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

For those of you who are concerned that our school district NOT continue a legacy of hate and violence against kids who are different, go to www.dayofsilence.org for more information. Peace and kindness to all of us.

Posted by DJrocksthemic (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why would you send us to the afa website. This is an awareness day to the mistreatment of others. Gay, straight or otherwise it is always wrong to hate someone and mistreat them, you might want to ask your boy Jesus about that. He seemed to be all about the love, even for tax collectors and lepers. Don't breed hate, and teach your kids not to as well.

Posted by starfire (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Deepthoughts:

The Emporia school district does not sponsor Day of Silence. However, I believe the GSA (Gay and Straight Alliance) at the high school does sponsor Day of Silence the best that they can. EHS can't stop students from doing Day of Silence if they wish to do so. Day of Silence is really a very cool thing - makes you think.

www.dayofsilence.org

Posted by starfire (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PS: Hey "toninj" - Interesting that you support the arts, but then toss the afa website out there. You must know that in the year 2008 that being different isn't a bad thing anymore and lots of those "different" people really love the arts like yourself. :)

Posted by Deepthoughts (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't think that disagreeing with someone's lifestyle choice can be called "hate". People can't force others to think all lifestyles are acceptable when they don't agree with those lifestyles. Don't be misled that it is simply an "awareness" day for the mistreatment of others - look who is sponsoring it - it is very much targeted for a specific group.

Posted by starfire (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree, I don't think people should force things on others! However, who are we to judge? What makes you happy, makes you happy! Don't judge! You don't have to be involved with people or situations that don't concern you. Why try and stop a group of people who just want 1 day out of the whole year as acknowldegement that they do indeed exist and deserve respect too? It doesn't concern you so live and let live! :)

Posted by Deepthoughts (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not judging - I simply asked the question (if you are talking to me starfire). I'm not trying to stop anything - I just wanted all the information out there for people to make the decisions they wanted to make based on all information. Does any group of people really need a day to feel that they exist and deserve respect? I see people everyday from all walks of life and I acknowledge their existence - I don't need a day for every group based on race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. to know that someone exists, and respect is earned. All I wanted was the particulars of what the Day of Silence is about - it does concern me if schools are forcing this on anyone because that wouldn't be right, but from the info here - it sounds like the district isn't the sponsor.

Posted by toninj (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 5:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't believe I attacked anyone with my mentioning the AFA website nor did I ever mention anything about hate.

DJrocksthemic: you on the other hand clearly have some anger issues that maybe you need to address.

I, like Jesus, do believe in love of all people and I do not feel that we should hate anyone due to choices they make in their lives. As a parent that is actively involved in this school district it does concern me that we focus on so many other things in school rather then on the education of our students. I do not support schools having "Awareness" days. One, because they should be focused on education and two, I don't feel any group should be singled out for a day. Inevitably another group will always come along wanting their day of awareness, and education will have to take back seat.

Posted by DJrocksthemic (anonymous) on March 12, 2008 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

No, not so much, I just think the AFA pushes an agenda of intollerance at times. They also do some very good things.