Soon-to-be board members of GLSEN Central Indiana organized Friday's event. "Thank you for your visibility it is truly life saving," he told the group. Ford (D-Indianapolis), the first openly gay member of the Indiana General Assembly, agreed in brief comments at the beginning of the event. Seeing a teacher who has a symbol of inclusion in their classroom - whether it’s a sign, a flag or even a sticker - can show students which teachers they can go to if they are bullied or if they want someone who will understand, attendees of Friday's event said. Attendees on Friday echoed that, saying symbols of inclusion are not political, but rather are about a person's identity. Students and advocates have said that if it's about making students feel welcome, it's the symbols of inclusion that were removed that are the very things making them feel welcome and safe. In the spring at Westfield, it was books that address gender identity in elementary schools that prompted marathon public comment periods at school board meetings.īut the removal of symbols of inclusion is also one of the first examples of the response by Kaiser, who started as superintendent in late May. It's the latest example of criticism related to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at Westfield schools.Īcross Hamilton County and the country, diversity, equity and inclusion have been in the spotlight - and under scrutiny by vocal groups - for months. However, concerns expressed to the district, including from parents, prompted the move, district spokesperson Joshua Andrews previously told IndyStar. It said that there is no policy preventing symbols of inclusion and that one isn’t in the works.
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The district said it made the move as leaders discuss how to make classrooms more welcoming to all students. Study Hall: Our subscriber-exclusive newsletter filled with local education news
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Westfield superintendent Paul Kaiser told a group of Westfield High School students in August that pride flags, BLM flags and anything that could be considered political would be removed from classrooms. “We’re trying to affirm who they are and that they belong here,” Ayers said. The "Raise Your Flags" event was about supporting students and teachers, said Brian Ayers, an organizer. Stretching from Shamrock Boulevard past Westfield High School, more than 50 people gathered to show their support for having symbols of inclusion, such as pride flags and BLM flags, in the classroom after the district had them removed last month.
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At least one person waved a pride flag from the car window. And there were a variety of pride flags, including bisexual pride flags, transgender pride flags, progress pride flags, nonbinary pride flags and more.įor over an hour on Friday afternoon, Westfield parents, students and supporters stood waving flags, holding signs and cheering as cars filled the street at the end of the school day. Lining West Hoover Street in Westfield, they stood with flags big and small. View Gallery: Westfield community protests for inclusion symbols in schools