Making Schools Safe for All Kids

Parents , Get Involved and Make a Change

This September, a middle school in Long Valley (Morris County) filled the classrooms and doors with rainbow flags and “Save Zone” prism stickers, just like many other New Jersey Schools.

When the parents saw this, they questioned the administration on why this existed in the school. The response was that they displayed rainbow flag to honor the New Jersey law to prevent Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (P.L. 2010 Ch. 122). Many activist groups explained that these stickers prevent LGBT+ kids from committing suicide by allowing them to feel welcome in the school. 

Parents stood up at the BOE meetings and made thoughtful comments about the purpose of the harassment, intimidation, and bullying laws. The purpose of these laws are to prevent bullying for ALL STUDENTS. The LGBT+ flags and prism stickers represent a specific community and DO NOT include ALL students. Anti-bullying laws are for ALL CHILDREN, not just those children covered under the rainbow flag. If a child is being bullied because they are over weight, or have a disability, they are NOT included in the display of these specialized LGBT+ prism stickers and flags.

Middle school is a tough time for kids, many of us were bullied for all different reasons and there has to be a way to promote anti-bullying while not discussing sexuality. The main purpose of the school is for ALL CHILDREN to feel welcome in the school, not just a certain class of student.

In the video below, three parents are speaking up. The last parent, newly elected to the BOE, suggested that they use the school mascot as a symbol of kindness to all instead of the politically charged symbols currently displayed in the school.

Because parents spoke their concerns, the superintendent discussed the situation with legal counsel and they decided that the LGBT+ flags and stickers should be removed and they will be replaced with school mascot “Portrait of a Panther” to represent ALL children in the school.