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November 17, 2000/Heshvan 19, 5761, Vol. 53, No.8
Coronado, ADL tag-team to combat intolerance
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
"Tolerance," "mutual understanding" and "diversity" are buzzwords on school campuses across the country. Now Coronado High School in Scottsdale has acted to make them real. School leaders plan to implement an Anti-Defamation Lea-gue's Classroom of Difference program at Coronado and throughout the Scottsdale Unified School District.
"We are delighted, and the fact they are offering the program to the entire Scottsdale school district is a feather in our cap," said Richard Kasper, regional ADL director.
At an Oct. 16 meeting with Kasper, school counselors, parent representatives and teachers "discussed what each person felt were the issues in the best interest of the kids," said Sue Bradley, Coronado principal. The goal is for them "to learn how to accept other people, understand them, listen and be tolerant of differences."
Racial and anti-Semitic incidents occurred on campus at Coronado during the first two weeks of school, including a student waving a bandana with the Confederate battle flag on it, said Bradley.
This was preceded last year by students' anti-Semitic taunts and physical violence reported by Jonathan Levenson; the incidents involved members of the wrestling team.
Bradley said Vice Principal Brian Corte interviewed the students involved. While none of them admitted committing acts of violence, some acknowledged using anti-Semitic language.
Bradley said two of the students were subsequently taken off the junior varsity wrestling team last year and further punished with having to do community service. She added that both Coach Darren Beracy and Corte addressed the issue of proper behavior and tolerance with the team.
Bradley said although Coronado's teachers have participated in various training programs on tolerance and diversity, they have not experienced the ADL's "Classroom of Difference."
The program offers training for teachers, students and families, with a goal of creating an environment of mutual respect, self-esteem and personal safety, in addition to leadership skills, according to ADL's Web site, www.adl.org. Since 1991, the ADL has instructed more than 5,000 student peer trainers, who in turn have worked with 60,000 fellow students.
Classroom of Difference "is not a discreet curriculum," said Kasper. "Rather, we give teachers the tools to deal with the particular situation they are facing (as well as) guidance."
Bradley said voluntary district-wide Classroom of Difference teacher training will take place for the Scottsdale district on Jan. 20. She hoped it would occur in December, but no date could be agreed upon.
Participants will then coach fellow teachers at district schools. Once trained, teachers will implement strategies in their classrooms.
The Confederate flag-waving incident "made us realize this should not be happening," said Sara Cunningham, Coronado student body president. She added that right now the campus is peaceful, and "no one is afraid when they come to Coronado."
"One or two incidents get in the news, and people think a school has a problem," Kasper said. He thinks that other unpublicized racist acts most likely occur sporadically in schools across the Valley.
At Coronado, "the students know our expectations," said Bradley. "The majority have been very respectful of one another."
Coronado has adopted a number of programs promoting tolerance and mutual understanding, she added.
Since 1991, the high school has sent delegations to Camp Minitown, sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice, including a group of 20 on Nov. 8.
Minitown is an "offshoot" of Camp Anytown, a one-week camp in Prescott established in 1957 that brings together youths from throughout the state to break down prejudices and stereotypes and foster understanding. Minitown brings the Anytown effort to the city, condensing the seven-day summer program into a three-day experience.
"We're looking for the students to go and learn and bring back ideas to campus," including working with school counselors on programs that promote tolerance, said Bradley.
Students recommended by their teachers for Minitown but unable to participate were trained by NCCJ Executive Director Rory Gilbert as peer mediators on Nov. 15. Bradley said they learned about the process of constructive problem solving to enable "students to help students."
"If I ever had a problem, I would rather talk to a peer mediator, not a counselor," said Cunningham. "It helps out tremendously, instead of an adult who says, 'This is what you should do.' "
Coronado also has a tolerance-building program, "Life is an art and art needs all colors." The purpose, Bradley explained, is for students to learn through art about mutual acceptance and the value of each other's differences.
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