Safe Space Kits Mailed To All CT Middle and High Schools
We're thrilled to announce that, starting next week, Safe Space Kits will be mailed to ALL public, private, and parochial middle and high schools in Connecticut! 
This amazing opportunity is made possible thanks to funds from the Pepsi Refresh Challenge grant that GLSEN won last year. For Hartford schools thanks goes to funding from Mass Mutual.
The kits are being sent to GSA Advisors or Guidance Counselors. If you are involved in a school, please keep your eyes and ears out for the kit and let us know if your school doesn't receive one. |
Please Note That We Have A New Phone Number: 203-533-9613 |
See you at Pride
We'll be tabling at Connecticut Pride in Hartford's Bushnell Park tomorrow, September 17th, from 12-7pm. We hope you'll stop by!
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Is Your School SAFE?
Calling all 6-12th grade teachers, staff and anyone else who works with students. We'll be holding our next two-day SAFE (Schools Are For Everyone) Training in Hamden, CT on October 20th and 21st. Read the flyer for more information, and click here to register.
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The White House Names GLSEN A "Champion of Change"
The White House has chosen GLSEN as a "Champion of Change" for the positive impact our work has on suicide prevention. "Champions of Change" is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities. GLSEN was among several organizations that participated in an event and discussion at The White House last month.
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Eliza Byard, Executive Director
Alison Gill, Public Policy Mgr.
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16th Annual Conference FREE This Year
This conference is being held Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. at Central Connecticut State University in
New Britain, CT. Please click here for more information and to register by September 19th. Students are welcomed and encouraged to attend!
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Greetings!
Welcome back to the new school year. We know that it's been a chaotic start for many, and hope things are finally settling in. We are excited about much that's ahead! As a reminder, GLSEN released a research brief earlier this year specifically outlining the climate in Connecticut's schools. If you'd like to read it please click here. This data is a powerful reminder about why we do the work that we do! Connecticut's anti-discrimination law now prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression. This is great news, especially since the law now protects students in schools. Click here to read about model district policies and ways to make schools safer for transgender and gender non-conforming students. There were also much-needed changes made to Connecticut's anti-bullying law. One outstanding change was the addition of enumerated categories clearly listing students who are protected under this law. Please remember that ALL students are protected and have the right to attend school in a safe environment! However, the listing of categories makes it unequivocally clear that bullying based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression is against the law. The State Department of Education's website offers the complete definition of bullying. The Connecticut Commission on Children also offers a brief overview of the law. And, if you'd like to see how Connecticut compares with other states, click here.As always, GLSEN Connecticut is available to help with understanding and implementation of these new laws. And, for further assistance we offer these Back To School Resources for Educators as well as a downloadable version of Tackling LGBT Issues in Schools. We look forward to partnering with you to provide Connecticut's students the school environments they need, deserve, and have a right to. Wishing everyone a safe, affirming and productive year! Peace, Leif Mitchell and Liane Roseman
Co-Chairs, GLSEN Connecticut
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Update on the Jump-Start Student Leadership Team
By Alberto Cifuentes, Jr. , Adult Coordinator
It was a great first year for the Jump-Start Student Leadership Team! Not only did we facilitate one awesome and well-attended safe schools workshop at the True Colors conference in March but we also increased our visibility and support in the community. This year, I'll be working with a promising new Student Coordinator, Julian Arias, from Stamford High School, and our team is preparing for our first ever state-wide GSA Summit in late May 2012.  | |
Alberto Cifuentes, Jr.
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Please remember that our energetic and dedicated team of student leaders exists to help schools, and especially youth, promote safety, acceptance, and respect for ALL students. Your shared commitment and passion for safe schools advocacy are the building blocks to our team's success. This is why I am asking for your help to recruit more student leaders on our team! We are composed of a diverse group of high school students in grades 9 - 12 who simply want to make a difference in their schools and communities through anti-bullying/harassment advocacy, activism, and education. If you're a high school student who fits this description, please don't hesitate to e-mail me for more info. You can also visit our website's Jump-Start page to download our 2011-12 Team Application and find the list of current Jump-Start Student Leaders who you are free to get in touch with about the program. Or just hear it from East Hartford High School's Jump-Start Student Leader, Mara. She's been with our team since its inception and is happy to share some of her experiences with you in the next article. And if you're not a student but a caring teacher, administrator, or adult, please refer your students to our program and encourage them to apply. Please note that Jump-Start applications need to be e-mailed to me by October 15th. Thank you for your continued support for safe schools! so submit them soon. Our team couldn't be more excited about the upcoming school year!
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My First Year on the Jump-Start Student Leadership Team
By Mara Skowronek
Hello all! My name is Mara Skowronek, and I am a senior at East
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Mara Skowronek
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Hartford High School in East Hartford where I also serve as the Vice President of my high school's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA). I have been a member of GLSEN Connecticut's Jump-Start Student Leadership Team for almost a year now, and have absolutely loved every moment of it. Not only have I made new friends from all around the state, but I have had some amazing experiences that I will keep with me for the rest of my life.
Before I decided to get involved with GLSEN Connecticut, I had always wanted to be part of a leadership team. However, I am not the kind of person to do something unless I feel passionate about it. I have definitely felt passionate about making schools safer places for all students. So, when I learned about GLSEN Connecticut's Jump-Start Team and what the team wanted to work towards, it was exactly what I had been looking for in a leadership program. I couldn't help but get involved.
I have to say that this was an incredible year for our team! There were only a few of us, but I feel that what we accomplished was amazing. In March of this year, we made our debut at the True Colors Conference where we presented our workshop on building more effective GSAs in schools. We had an excellent turn out, and our nearly fifty participants filled the entire room. They were extremely pleased, and took great interest in not only our mission but also in who we were as a group.
While we hope to participate in True Colors again, our main focus is organizing a state-wide GSA summit next spring. Our goal is to bring all the GSAs together to work towards safe schools while at the same time fostering connections and networking opportunities between students. The more informed GSAs are about important issues state-wide, the more successfully we can engage in safe schools organizing.
All in all, GLSEN Connecticut's Jump-Start Team is doing amazing things. Anyone who already is a leader, wants to become one, or just wants to make schools safer spaces for all students should get involved with us. If anyone has any questions about Jump-Start, please feel free to e-mail me. Thank you.
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A Message From GSA Outreach Coordinator Joy Lenters
Happy New School Year, GSAs!
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A little Civics 101 to start off the year: We're beginning this year with the strongest backing that we have ever had from our CT legislature! Celebrate the terrific anti-bullying bill and the non-discrimination bill that was passed at the end of last school year as your official "act of business" for your GSA.
Here is a link to GLSEN Connecticut's press release about both bills.
Also update your students about the progress in Congress by talking about the Safe Schools Improvement Act that has been introduced in the Senate.
Here is a link to the House of Representative's version of the bill. And here is the Senate's version.
Ask students to check whether their Representative or Senator is on the list of supporters. If not, now's a great time to contact their Representative/Senator and urge him/her to sign on! Make it your GSA's first "action" of the new school year.
Happy September, fellow teachers. Just click on my name to email me directly.
Joy |
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Please Note: This electronic message from GLSEN Connecticut contains information and opinions deemed relevant to ending anti-LGBT bias in schools and other items which may be of interest to the LGBT community and its valued allies. Not all opinions expressed are those of GLSEN Connecticut.
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GLSEN Connecticut is a member of Community Works of Connecticut, a progressive workplace giving program.
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