Maria Steriti: Climate must change at JFK Middle School

Published: 06-29-2017 7:07 PM

Climate must change at JFK Middle School

Thank you for the report “JFK students hold sit-in to raise awareness of sexual harassment” at JFK Middle School, published June 23.

What has been reported at JFK Middle School is shocking. Moreover, students touching or slapping another’s butt goes beyond harassment to sexual assault. Education is needed for administrators, teachers and students to understand what is and is not appropriate.

The poor response of the administration necessitated the sit-in. I commend the students who took action to address this issue. Is this what we want educators to teach, that it’s common for boys to be sexual offenders, and, worse, that victimized students just need to take a time-out in the library if they can’t handle it?

Even more egregious is Superintendent John Provost’s comments. He claims that the district does not tolerate sexual harassment. How is it common behavior then? He goes on to disapprove of the students’ decision to cut class to protest and places the responsibility of rehabilitating the offenders onto the victims, stating he preferred them to work with the administration to create an event that would “align with the educational mission of the district.”

I implore parents and concerned community members to demand an end to this climate where sexual offenses are minimized and hold Superintendent Provost accountable in pressing school administrators to do their job in securing a safe environment for learning. It is the responsibility of the superintendent and administrators to correct this serious matter, not the victims.

Inviting a rape crisis counselor to JFK to teach the difference between consensual, inappropriate and even criminal acts is a good place to start. Students committing these offenses should be clear about the consequences of their actions and the administrators should ensure that there is zero tolerance for such behavior at JFK.

Maria Steriti

Leeds

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