DCS HS students learn about, demonstrate acceptance and tolerance
Study Circles is designed to offer support—through peer discussion—to students from different communities and schools within Schenectady County who have different racial, ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds by examining diversity in their schools and where they live.
“Many of the issues discussed were focused around experiences in the form of discrimination, isolation and bullying," says DCS MS/HS English Teacher Laura Risley.
The Study Circles program provides a safe and structured setting where students can discuss concerns openly and freely, as well as provide opportunities for positive actions.
During the program, students from the participating schools were arranged into groups of 10 to 14 where they spent the day discussing situations that point out inequalities in society. The first exercise was focused on discussing certain stereotypes, how stereotypes can be misleading and any particular stereotypes that apply to the students’ own schools.
“I learned a lot about racial diversity,” says DCS high school student Jason St. John. “We were in anenvironment where we could openly speak about issues, and I enjoyed having a young group leader to relate to. This exercise really helped to open my eyes to things.”
The students then moved on to discuss racial discrimination and ways to prevent or make people aware of this kind of treatment.
“We are always trying to encourage the acceptance of others as well as how students can work together as a team,” says Risley.
At the end of the program, students attended the Action Forum when they met with their school peers and made an “Action Plan” to take back to their own home schools to promote better understanding of and appreciation for the diversity they may encounter in their school’s hallways.
Next Steps
DCS students are planning to set up an exchange program with one of the schools that participated in the Study Circles Program. In this program, a group of students from another school would come to DCS where they would shadow DCS students for a day. In return, DCS students would be welcomed into the other school and shadow those students for a day, explains Risley.
“We hope that by doing this we can see what is it like for others in different schools and help remove any stereotypes that have formed,” adds another student.
“I’m proud of our students and the steps they are taking to embrace acceptance and tolerance, and to put a stop to stereotypes,“ adds Risley
To get involved in Study Circles, please contact Laura Risley at lrisley@duanesburg.org.