Well the worldly traveller made it back from Florida in one piece. The trip was great and the best part was that my children had a blast, especially being able to meet all the Disney characters throughout our stay. But enough of that stuff...I thought I would provide a bit of follow up to my last post regarding the issues that flared up at Arcola School a few weeks ago.

In order to address the issues that were percolating in the student body of the school, our school counsellor and I set up a session for the entire grade 7-12 student body to address the issues. We both spoke to the group and we had two elders speak to the group as well. We addressed the issues of bullying online and racism/stereotypes that break down positive relationships that had been developed. After the speakers, the school counsellor and I led the entire group through an open forum session where the students could talk and express their feelings and concerns in what we hoped was a non-threatening environment. I felt this was extremely important as listening to a bunch of adults gets boring after awhile! My plan was to have everyone air out the dirty laundry and then we would create a list of how we should treat each other and generally behave in school. . . a list that everyone could agree upon. Well the afternoon did not go as smoothly as I hoped as the dirty laundry session lasted longer than anticipated and kept coming up as we were trying to create the positive interaction list. As well, the conversation was dominated by two outspoken groups. But I think something was accomplished. As one of the elders told me afterward, all the students that spoke did so from the heart and held nothing back. As well, after everyone had left the gym the four girls that were in the original conflict came to me as a group to tell me that I took things too far, that the issue was between them and they felt it was necessary to sit down together the next day and resolve things. Little did they know that they had already resolved the issues when they came to me to tell me what I did was wrong!

Now, although things are better at the school after all that has happened, the climate is still not where I would like it to be. I believe that it will continue to improve as time puts space between where we were and where we currently are. The need to continue to try and break down the barrier between the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students in the school still exists, but I believe an important first step has been taken. Until next time.

KH

Another week gone...where does the time go! This post is not about school planning, but rather about some disturbing issues going on in the halls of Arcola School. A comment made last weekend between a non-Aboriginal student and an Aboriginal student with prejudicial overtones on a social networking site caused all sorts of mayhem and drama between students once other Aboriginal students heard rumors about the comment. A fight nearly broke out, students took sides, students were yelling and swearing at each other...it was scary. I was fearful that if one fight began, a full-out brawl would ensue. Fortunately that did not occur. Today tensions were high again, but nothing occurred. In fact I think one side was making much more out of the whole thing than was needed. How sad is it that I speak in terms of sides like two teams preparing for battle. I am saddened and disheartened that all the hard work my staff, my division, our communities, and myself have gone through to bring our two cultures and communities closer together and to get students to see each other for what students are, human beings with all the fears and anxieties that teenage students have, can seemingly be brought crashing to the ground by a callous comment.

My staff and I have discussed possible options to help resolve and heal the wounds that have been created or exposed by this particular incident, but I would like to hear from you. If you have any ideas or experience in resolving an issue such as this, I would love to hear from you.

Sorry for being such a downer tonight, but have a good one anyways!
KH