Silence speaks at Kildonan School

AMENIA — The Kildonan School took a pronounced stance against the harassment and bullying of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth last Friday, April 16, participating in the annual National Day of Silence held by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

This is the first year The Kildonan School, a coeducational boarding school for children with dyslexia and other learning-based differences, has participated in the event, which is in its 14th year. In 2008, hundreds of thousands of students participated in more than 8,000 schools across the country, according to the event’s Web site.

“I happened to be having a conversation with a student before spring break who does not identify as gay but made the comment that we were becoming a more open-minded community,†explained Karl Oppenheimer, who is the school’s director of residential life. “He wished we could do something to focus more on making it a safer community for the LGBT, and it was an opportunity that we were delighted to take advantage of.â€

The Day of Silence is a literal pledge by those participating, explained by cards the students carry with them throughout the day that read:

“Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies in schools. My deliberate silence echoes that silence which is caused by name-calling, bullying and harassment. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward fighting these injustices. Think about the voices you are not hearing today. What are you going to do to end the silence?â€

Oppenheimer said that the vows are lifted during class time, so as not to interrupt the students’ education, but that several teachers took the initiative to either adjust their curriculum to address LGBT issues or ran their classes in way that they could be conducted silently.

There were 71 participants who officially signed up to participate, including about 50 students and 20 staff. Oppenheimer said that approximately 70 percent of the high school student body took part.

“Walking through the hallways was a really touching experience,†Oppenheimer said. “It really struck me with how meaningful it is and how different it feels to have pin-drop silence.â€

Many students showed their support by wearing red or black T-shirts, and buttons and wristbands were made as available as well.

“I think that it’s definitely a good thing,†said Elizabeth Gold, whose is the mother of a day student at the school. “I like the fact that Kildonan is doing something to support this kind of thing.â€

Visit dayofsilence.org for more information on the national movement.