Bundled up against the cold temperatures and the bone penetrating fog that seems to have taken up permanent residence in the area, citizens of Veneta and surrounding areas gathered at Veneta Elementary School on December 6th to take part in the annual tree lighting ceremony.
     While frigid, the atmosphere was at the same time festive, and shrieks of excitement could be heard from throngs of Santa had clad school children as they waited to sing as part of the Veneta Elementary School choir. Those who wished to do so, drank cups of free hot chocolate and carols played over a pair of speakers, compliments of The Beat of Eugene’s (99.1 FM) Barry MacGuire. When the time came to start the celebration in earnest, mayor elect Robbie McCoy took the microphone and after a bit of technical difficulty, announced to the crowd assembled that a certain guest of honor was arriving.
     With a short blast of a siren, Santa Claus arrived on a vintage fire truck to the howls and cheers of delighted children who eagerly looked forward to sitting on his lap and sharing their Christmas wishes. Then, attention was turned back to the tree and as everyone counted down from five, McCoy flipped a switch, and the tree became awash in brilliantly colored lights as a collective cheer went up from the spectators.
      Then it was time for more music, this time compliments of the Veneta Elementary School choir, led by principal Dawn Dean. Children in Kindergarten through second grade performed Jingle Bells and then the third-grade members sang Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and one other song before ceding the spotlight to the 4th and 5th grade members who sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas. Applause rang out and the crowd began to disperse, but not before the Fern Ridge Middle School choir began to sing such chestnuts as The Little Drummer Boy.
     While the youthful voices rang out, the smaller children stood in line awaiting a turn to sit on Santa’s lap while still others who had been in attendance began to make their way towards their vehicles and the warmth of home on this dark chilly night.
     An enjoyable time was had, and memories were made by children and adults alike as yet another Christmas season was formally welcomed with merriment and even a little laughter.
 
    

     Promoting excellence for all students and the realization that academic success is contingent on a school environment that is safe is something that the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) stresses and the Fern Ridge District is doing its part to ensure that LBGTQ kids are heard and supported. This has resulted in changes at Elmira High so both transgender and non-transgender students can use the restroom comfortably and more changes where locker rooms are concerned at the high school and at the middle school are on the horizon.
     Superintendent Gary Carpenter says that multiple students fall under the transgender, non-binary, gay, lesbian, and gender fluid labels and while there is a lot of “nuances”, the district tries to be supportive while at the same time being supportive of families who may find the guidance that is given on this controversial subject uncomfortable.
     Carpenter acknowledges that it can “get heated” at school board meetings when the topic of trans kids comes up and there have been instances where parents who have spoken out in support of trans kids have been bullied by parents who disagree with this stance.
     If interviewed, however, high school students themselves would have a completely different perspective and tend to be more supportive as a whole. Students have shared on an anonymous survey that they feel a gay pupil may get special privileges, while on the other hand a gay student has shared that they feel bullied. Carpenter wants to make sure that all students have the encouragement they need to thrive scholastically.
     Complaints about trans kids from other kids mainly concern restroom use as well as the use of the locker room. To this end, a restroom with several single floor to ceiling stalls has been constructed on the high school campus and there are plans to add additional spaces for changing clothes beyond the single stall restrooms and the health room. Carpenter says the district is looking into providing screens on rollers and/or curtains on tracks to provide locker room privacy.
     While the loss of federal and state dollars is one concern in making these changes, it would also be a violation of a transgender student’s civil rights if they were denied being able to use the restroom of the gender they identify with, Carpenter states. The district has policies in place that prohibit discrimination based on protected class such as gender identity and sex and the district is extremely committed to having an environment in the schools that is free of discrimination against these kids. There is also a desire, Carpenter adds, to protect the district against the expense of potential litigation. Conversely, the Fern Ridge School District works diligently to provide support to ALL students, including those who may experience discomfort with these arrangements and will provide them with substitute private options for using the restroom and use of the locker room also.
     To stress the position that the district is bound by law to take these steps, Carpenter uses the Dallas School District west of Salem as an example of what can happen when these guidelines are not followed. In Parents for Privacy V. Barr parents filed a lawsuit alleging that allowing transgender students the use of the restroom of the gender they identified with violated the rights of their student. The courts disagreed with this stance, refused to hear the case and threw it out after determining the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate that the outlines of the privacy right protected by the 14th Amendment were wide-ranging enough to protect against the school district’s employment of the student safety plan. This deduction was supported by the fact that the Student Safety Plan provided alternatives and privacy protections for those students who did not want to share facilities with a transgender student despite the fact that those amenities seemed to be inferior and less convenient. The Plan recognized the student in question as a “transgender male” and allowed him use of the boys’ locker room and restrooms with his peers.
     Carpenter says he wants to encourage kids to report any kind of bullying as it can be difficult to get students to do this. He stresses finding a trusted adult who will take the bullying seriously and states that every August before school starts staff is given guidance direction as to what bullying is defined as, how to address it and how to report it. Students are also given curriculums that are gone over with them as it is imperative that all kids feel safe. Steps are also taken to limit cell phone use during the school day at all three levels in an attempt to reduce the risk of them being used for cyberbullying and kids can also report bullying, harassment, problems at home, etc. via Safe Oregon if they don’t feel comfortable talking to a teacher or a counselor. All kids get training about this program and what it is for.
     Being a kid isn’t always easy, but having adults who care enough to want to meet their needs and offer support can go a long way in determining things like academic achievement and self-esteem. Knowing that there are adults in their corner can be what keeps a kid in school and on the right track. All kids, regardless of who they are and how they identify, should be able to attend school without the fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unaccepted, and even unwanted, because how a kid is treated today forms the adult of tomorrow.