By:Vanessa S. Holt
FLORENCE For many students, being a little bit different can make adolescence a constant struggle.
To help ensure individual rights are respected, Affirmative Action Officer Glenda Autry is available to Florence Township students and staff who feel they are facing discrimination.
Recently, Ms. Autry has worked with female middle school students who say they were harassed and inappropriately touched by several male classmates. Ms. Autry counseled all of the students involved.
"Basically it’s just a safeguard, to make sure that everybody is treated fairly, whether it be sexual harassment, or racial bias, safeguarding the rights of everyone," said Ms. Autry.
Harassment charges filed by police against two sixth grade boys in the middle school are still pending in county juvenile court, said Capt. Joseph Gadbois of the Florence Township Police.
Although this incident received a great deal of attention, Ms. Autry said the complaints she deals with are "no worse than at any other school." Every complaint is taken seriously and dealt with as quickly as possible.
"The main thing to do is to let them know it is unacceptable and there is punishment," she said.
The harassment allegations that resulted in charges being filed and two boys being suspended was reported on a Thursday afternoon after school, said Ms. Autry. When it came her attention, Ms. Autry told the girls to write down what had happened, which is what she would advise anyone in a similar situation.
"My main concern as an AA officer was making sure it was handled right away," said Ms. Autry. "It’s very serious when people let things drift and don’t act upon them."
Florence Township middle and high school which share a building have security guards. During lunch duty, guards are at work in addition to teachers who monitor hallways.
"There are so many kids, and they can do things so quickly…you turn your head one way, you can miss something," she said.
"We can only do something if kids bring it to our attention, and then act upon it immediately," she added.
Posters around the school remind students they can contact Ms. Autry if they feel they have been discriminated against. Parents are asked to sign a form indicating that they have gone over the grievance procedure with their children.
Affirmative action officers need certification as a teacher and submit an annual plan for the district to the state office for approval. "It’s basically a needs assessment to see what we need to do," she said.
"It’s a job that I take seriously, I don’t want anyone discriminated against," said Ms. Autry.
Ms. Autry also is a seventh-grade teacher. She hopes her students know that when they get to high school, if there is a problem they can always come back to her.
Recently, she conducted a sensitivity training class with sixth-grade students, and felt that it may have helped some girls realize that they could speak up when they were inappropriately touched.
One of the most important things for young people to remember is to speak up if they feel they have been treated in a disrespectful manner, she said.
"No one has the right to touch you," said Ms. Autry. "I stressed strongly that at no time should you let anyone touch you."
She plans to have units on manners and respect taught in all grade levels. In her seventh-grade classes, many of the stories she teaches contain lessons on respecting others.
"School is supposed to be a place to learn and enjoy yourself, no one should feel intimidated."
