I've found all of our presenters thus far to be very helpful and generous with their time; however, I was particularly impressed with my interaction with Mike Hiestand and Frank LoMonte of the SPLC. I interviewed Mike during lunch following his presentation and touched base with Frank via email for my story for the institute publication, and I can't say enough about their knowledge and helpfulness. After speaking with both gentlemen, I feel more confident about my school's proposed press policy (explained further below) and better prepared to deal with the difficulties of push-back from fellow faculty members.
After dealing with a difficult faculty member (see my previous blog post for more details, if you haven't already heard me discuss it ad nauseum, by accessing the link here: http://reynoldsphoenix2013.blogspot.com/2013/06/choosing-your-battles.htm), my students, per my suggestion, read everything they could about the First Amendment, the SPLC's model guidelines for high schools, and Pennsylvania's Code (which modifies Hazelwood), and drafted a policy (unprecedented in our district), which we submitted to the school board for adoption. Although we are currently waiting on the school solicitor's legal opinion as to whether or not the board should adopt this policy, I am extremely proud of my staff for taking the initiative, and after my conversations with Hiestand and LoMonte, I'm confident that we're on the right track to enacting something in our district that's been long overdue.
Aaron Fitzpatrick
Freedom Area High School
Freedom, Pa
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