MONROE - Students who wish to honor the national Day of Silence Friday will be allowed to do so, but Monroe High School does not officially endorse the event.
"Students are allowed to honor that in their own way," MHS Principal Mark Burandt said, adding the school does not "formally recognize the Day of Silence" event.
The Day of Silence is a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that encourages students across the country to take some form of a vow of silence to try to bring attention to name-calling and harassment experienced by some teens, especially homosexuals. Opponents to the event say the day helps promote a homosexual agenda.
The school does encourage developing "a culture of respect" and is interested in promoting an understanding of diversity among students.
"Not acceptance, not tolerance, but understanding," Burandt said.
In previous years, the school had a "Day of Understanding" held on the Day of Silence, Burandt said. The purpose was to "recognize all diversity," he said, whether it be religious, cultural or ethnic.
Organizing that event is in the hands of students, but this year no one stepped forward to organize it. The school does have a Diversity Club that is not an official organization but meets periodically, Burandt said.
"Students are allowed to honor that in their own way," MHS Principal Mark Burandt said, adding the school does not "formally recognize the Day of Silence" event.
The Day of Silence is a project of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that encourages students across the country to take some form of a vow of silence to try to bring attention to name-calling and harassment experienced by some teens, especially homosexuals. Opponents to the event say the day helps promote a homosexual agenda.
The school does encourage developing "a culture of respect" and is interested in promoting an understanding of diversity among students.
"Not acceptance, not tolerance, but understanding," Burandt said.
In previous years, the school had a "Day of Understanding" held on the Day of Silence, Burandt said. The purpose was to "recognize all diversity," he said, whether it be religious, cultural or ethnic.
Organizing that event is in the hands of students, but this year no one stepped forward to organize it. The school does have a Diversity Club that is not an official organization but meets periodically, Burandt said.