Campaigns
Students United is always working to improve our schools and community. If its a messed up law, a bad policy, a neighborhood problem, or some other thing that sucks, SU will fix it!
City-Wide Campaigns
USD 259 Anti-Descrimination Policy
There are several accounts of students being treated unfairly while in school simply because they are gay or lesbian. Students United members are currently working on making USD 259 schools safe for ALL students. Gay and straight students alike have been pushing the Wichita board of education to include ‘actual or perceived sexual orientation’ to the district’s anti-discrimination policy. The board of education has been reluctant to take the necessary steps to protect all students, but Hope Street leaders have made several gains along the way. In December of 2007, members successfully pushed the BOE to include sexual orientation into the district’s anti-bullying plan, which later turned into a district-wide policy. We have also rallied community support around this issue and have gained support for the policy change from over 10 student, community, and church organizations.
According to GLSEN’s 2005 national survey, nearly two-thirds of students reported feeling unsafe while at school because of their sexual orientation. All students have the inherent right to feel safe while in place of learning. If you are interested in joining the fight, please contact danielle@hsyd.org.
Chapter Campaigns
East
Campaings are currently being developed by the students. The East Students United chapter will have meetings every Friday during lunch in room E-133.
West
West High Students United has amongst the highest student participation. Students at West were asked to “pick the 3 biggest issues for you as a West High Student.” Among the possible issues where; class opportunities are decreasing, school looks trashy, more recycling needed, not enough school dances, not enough time set aside to go to teachers, bathroom doors do not lock, and/or hallways are over crowded. 300 surveys were completed! The surveys are being tallied up and soon we will have the 3 biggest issues. Also, Height students united will be electing their own Officers. The elections will be held Tuesday Nov. 4th, same as presidential elections.
Northwest
Campaings are currently being developed by the students.
Heights
Heights Students United is celebrating their victory in the “Falcons Go Green, Keep Heights Clean” campaign. After a year long struggle the students persevered and the school as a whole has won. As a result a separate “Go Green Group” has been established, a recycling media campaign has been launched school wide, and a teacher – student accountability chart has been established for the program. Currently, the Students are getting ready to recruit new members and tackle the next issue.
Southeast
In its second year of existence, the Southeast Students United chapter has started the year off strong! Having completed a school-wide survey, SESU students have isolated crowded hallways and arbitrary tardiness policies as a keystone issue for the year. They are currently looking for ways to alleviate problems of overcrowding, counter-productive attendance policies, and mounting detention hours for students doing their best to make it to class. SESU students are also in the midst of planning a party at Hope Street to encourage their peers to come get involved, stand up, and speak out. Southeast Students United meets every Wednesday during lunch in room F-7.
North
North High Students United is on its way. We are meeting on Tuesdays at 3:25pm (afterschool) in the Library; Temple Room. We have several excited new members and several new freshman joining the group of Students United! Many potential issues have come up for the students to take on! We expect this to be one of the most active and exciting groups!
Past Campaigns
Tasers
Since the taser devices, a potentially lethal weapon, were introduced into USD 259 school in January of 2006, Students United leaders have been fighting to ensure that students are safe while in schools. Since the device has been linked to over 300 deaths and can be potentially harmful to youth who are unaware of medical conditions – students were concerned that the school district had not taken the necessary precautions regarding the weapon. Leaders have made several gains over the last couple of years. The Wichita Board of Education adopted 7 of the 10 Students United recommendations for taser use. Some of these include: accurate reporting of incidents of students being tased, educating students about the taser device, ensuring that parents of tased students understand the potential health effects of their child being tased, and several others.
In the summer of 2007 students began working with the Wichita Police Department to discuss what tactics are used before an officer pulls out the taser gun and to discuss what actions are taken when an individual is tased. Youth leaders met with Chief Norman Williams and agreed upon two main points. The Wichita Police Department will send someone to Hope Street to train the youth on what conflict de-escalation tactics they practice BEFORE using a taser. Also, Chief Williams ensured students that their policy demands that if someone under 18 is tased, they receive an emergency medical response.
Not only have Hope Street youth made several gains with the Wichita School district and the Police Department, but they have also created a 30-page report on the use of tasers within Kansas schools. If you would like a copy of this report, contact danielle@hsyd.org.
Hats off to all the young people who have spoken out on this issue, held public officials accountable, and did the hard work to ensure your fellow students are safe. It has been a long, hard fight – BUT WE WON!!