On Monday a small group of high school students talked to Ninth through Twelfth Grades about the meaning behind Ally Week. Tomorrow, these students will follow up with a share of the concrete steps some in our community have taken to stand up against anti-LGBT language and slurs. Seven middle school students led the fifth through eighth graders in an informative assembly on Tuesday. They performed a skit from the book, "Absolutely..Positively..NOT" by David LaRochelle. The chapter they focused on zoomed in on a friend of the main character, Steven. When Steven finally comes around to telling his friend, Rachel, that he is gay he is warmly received by her, her parents, and her little sister. Their active role as an ally family spurred middle schoolers to share other ways they can or have taken action to create a safe and welcoming school for all.

Throughout the week, several lower school students wore ally stickers, and for our youngest LREI students the stickers read, “I’m a good friend.” Some classes discussed the roles allies have taken in creating systemic change and other classes practiced how to be an ally for a classmate. The focus was clear. Allies take action. We will continue to encourage the community to "Do Something and Say Something" when bias of any form occurs and we invite you to do the same.

Click here for few things you can do to continue the dialogue, support your children’s understanding, and join us in the work of developing social justice citizens. Lower School librarian Stacy Dillon created a fun and easy list of resources for Fours through twelfth graders and their families to enjoy.Finally, please enjoy this video of students and adults sharing their ally voices.