By Mark Boshnack
Staff Writer
A tolerance program at Morris Central middle and high school is being held this week to address issues that arise because there is so little diversity in the area, organizers said.
The idea for the program came from Rodney Gould, a 7-12 guidance counselor who said he grew tired of hearing "put-downs borne of ignorance" from some students at the school, librarian Emily Kirsch said.
Kirsch is one of those involved with organizing the event with Gould, who was not available for comment Friday afternoon.
"We have terrific students," she said. "We wanted to give them an opportunity to hear people from various backgrounds."
Organizers felt that "it would be a valuable addition to their education," she said.
Support from the administration, board of education and faculty has made it possible, Kirsch said.
The schedule is: Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon, religion; Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., race; and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon, sexuality.
The sessions will bring a panel representing members of each group who have achieved success despite discrimination to talk to two grades at a time.
This will give students a chance to hear about prejudices people experience, said M.D. Poole, a college preparatory counselor at the school who also is involved with the event. Each panelist will talk for about 10 minutes, she said.
There will be time for questions written by students in English classes who were preparing for the program, Kirsch said. The teachers will choose the best questions that will either be read by the student or teacher, she said.
There will be follow-up discussion and writing to reinforce the learning experience.
Poole said, "It's a very impressive learning experience he (Gould) has pulled together."
