What may seem like an expected way to be treated for some can be a constant fight for others. Safety is something that this school, along with many others, strive for. This year Yorktown is coming together to ensure a safe space for all. While walking around school, rainbow stickers plastered in almost every classroom are hard to miss. It is essential for students’ safety to be ensured; however, in a school setting it is even more important for everyone to feel comfortable. All teachers have participated in this school movement of providing a safe space for everyone. The various authorities at school want it to be known that their classroom is a safe environment for everyone. For many students, including freshman Eliza Howard, the sticker has been beneficial in numerous ways.
“It is a reminder that there a lot of teachers that can help me and others feel safe at school, which is really important,” Howard said.
This passionate idea to help all students feel safe came from one teacher who strived to make a difference. After the devastating Orlando shooting at Pulse, a gay bar, physics teacher Deborah Waldron decided it was time to do something. At a faculty meeting before the start of school, Waldron explained the importance of making sure students feel safe and encouraged teachers to put them up in their rooms.
“When I was in high school I was not self aware enough about my sexuality . . . I just want people to know that when you come here it is going to be okay. If somebody says something wrong we are going to stop them,” Waldron said.
While walking through the school, the abundance of rainbow stickers shows the support that the sticker has. Although the background of the sticker is rainbow, a symbol for the diversity in the LGBTQ+ community, the safe space sticker is meant for all students.
“[The sticker] is not for just gay or lesbian students, but for all students because growing up is hard… If you think about the political world right now there are a lot of reasons you might not feel safe,” Waldron said.
Not only has Waldron been highly involved in creating a safe space for all, but many teachers have showed devotion towards this cause. Health teacher, Stephanie Meadows, explained what she has noticed the safe space sticker does for her classroom and the community.
“[The sticker] has promoted the ideas of what safe space means. Being honest, trusting, nice and supportive of people,” Meadows said.
Next time you are walking in the hallway, look out for the rainbow safe space sticker that has helped the school’s community immensely. Waldron has made the first step in ensuring a safe space for all, now the students and authorities must furthermore encourage equality at Yorktown.
