billiefan2000
November 8th, 2008, 11:28 AM
http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10481755
Group is diverse, but just don't call it that
BY RICHARD EGAN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
There's no denying that those who frequent the Gay-Straight Alliance group's weekly meetings at Bellevue East High School are a diverse bunch.
But they chafe at the school district's suggestion that they meet as the Diversity Club.
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Ashley Moffat left, and Megan Henderson are president and vice president of the Bellevue East High School Gay-Straight Alliance.
The leaders of the group say they want to be known as the Gay-Straight Alliance — and be officially sponsored by the school.
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Bellevue Public Schools officials say the group can call itself the Gay-Straight Alliance. But if the organization wants to be sponsored by the school, it must operate as the Diversity Club.
Several metro-area high schools have Gay-Straight Alliances and, for the most part, they are treated as nonsponsored clubs.
Bellevue district spokeswoman Cathy Williams said the Diversity Club — which is sponsored — suits the Bellevue East group's needs.
The Diversity Club, according to the student handbook, is intended to promote "understanding of a variety of ethnic and life experiences and cultures" and "foster activities that provide for appropriate recognition and observance of selected ethnic holidays and respect for all people."
School officials review requests to start clubs and, "basically, they felt that the Diversity Club that we already have in place covers a lot of the areas that the club wanted," Williams said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has stepped in, asking the school district to better define which clubs are sponsored and which aren't.
"The school needs to have equal treatment across the board for all noncurricular clubs," ACLU legal director Amy Miller said.
"Right now, some get in the yearbook and get to invite speakers, and some apparently do not."
Sponsored, or curricular, clubs are eligible for yearbook coverage, a paid adviser and funding for events and field trips, according to the district.
ACLU threatened to sue the district in November 2007, when the alliance couldn't get the school to provide a meeting place or permission to announce meeting times, Miller said.
more... http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10481755
http://www.classreport.org/usa/ne/bellevue/behs/
Group is diverse, but just don't call it that
BY RICHARD EGAN
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
There's no denying that those who frequent the Gay-Straight Alliance group's weekly meetings at Bellevue East High School are a diverse bunch.
But they chafe at the school district's suggestion that they meet as the Diversity Club.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Ashley Moffat left, and Megan Henderson are president and vice president of the Bellevue East High School Gay-Straight Alliance.
The leaders of the group say they want to be known as the Gay-Straight Alliance — and be officially sponsored by the school.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Bellevue Public Schools officials say the group can call itself the Gay-Straight Alliance. But if the organization wants to be sponsored by the school, it must operate as the Diversity Club.
Several metro-area high schools have Gay-Straight Alliances and, for the most part, they are treated as nonsponsored clubs.
Bellevue district spokeswoman Cathy Williams said the Diversity Club — which is sponsored — suits the Bellevue East group's needs.
The Diversity Club, according to the student handbook, is intended to promote "understanding of a variety of ethnic and life experiences and cultures" and "foster activities that provide for appropriate recognition and observance of selected ethnic holidays and respect for all people."
School officials review requests to start clubs and, "basically, they felt that the Diversity Club that we already have in place covers a lot of the areas that the club wanted," Williams said.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nebraska has stepped in, asking the school district to better define which clubs are sponsored and which aren't.
"The school needs to have equal treatment across the board for all noncurricular clubs," ACLU legal director Amy Miller said.
"Right now, some get in the yearbook and get to invite speakers, and some apparently do not."
Sponsored, or curricular, clubs are eligible for yearbook coverage, a paid adviser and funding for events and field trips, according to the district.
ACLU threatened to sue the district in November 2007, when the alliance couldn't get the school to provide a meeting place or permission to announce meeting times, Miller said.
more... http://omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10481755
http://www.classreport.org/usa/ne/bellevue/behs/