State says show tact to kids of military
Copyright © 2003 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
AUGUSTA — The state Department of Education sent word Tuesday to every superintendent and principal in Maine, reminding them that all school employees must remain sensitive to the children of military families — even if those employees are opposed to military action in Iraq.
Commissioner of Education J. Duke Albanese sent an "informational letter" to school officials after receiving reports that some educators and other school employees have been sharing anti-war sentiments with students.
In his 1 1/2-page letter, Albanese urged educators and other school employees to create supportive climates that are sensitive to all children.
"Recently, it has been brought to our attention that some school personnel around the state may have been less than sensitive to children of military families regarding our continued strained relations with Iraq," Albanese wrote.
"In some cases, parents — who are about to be deployed — have observed added stress and anxiety among their children who perceive a staff member or their peers as being insensitive to their beliefs and the potential danger to loved ones."
Discussion of these incidents has fueled "strained feelings" from certain military families toward schools, according to Albanese.
"I am asking you to remind school personnel that these are difficult times for our nation and that the families of military personnel need our sensitivity," Albanese wrote in his letter.
Maj. Andrew L. Gibson of Pittsfield, a National Guard chaplain, said Tuesday that teachers, principals, guidance counselors and some students have made "insensitive" remarks to children of National Guard families.
Maj. Peter J. Rogers, director of public affairs for the Maine National Guard, said complaints have been fielded at the five National Guard family assistance centers in the state.
"Children are coming home from school very upset at things that are being said," Rogers said.
The centers in Augusta, Bangor, Calais, Caribou and Portland are temporary offices set up to assist families of soldiers deployed for the likely war in Iraq. They are run by the military as a clearinghouse for services available to all military families.
Gibson, pastor of the First Congregational Church in Pittsfield, said that each of the five centers represents communities in that area.
"We don't want it to come back on the kids," Gibson said.
Albanese and Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Tinkham II of the state Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management have discussed the situation, Rogers said. Some children of National Guard families are feeling great stress when they return home from school, he said.
"They're suffering the pain of losing somebody already, and it's causing a trauma at this point," Rogers said. "The advisory is to let superintendents know this is unacceptable behavior."
The education department has received telephone calls, letters and e-mails from concerned parents, according to Rogers.
"We have been in close contact with them," he said. "They are just as concerned about this as we are. Hopefully, this (advisory) will take care of it."
Neither Rogers nor Gibson, who traveled to Sanford for a troop sendoff Tuesday, was able to say which school districts have produced the complaints.
Rogers would only say that most of the reports have come from elementary- and middle-school students.
Larry Grard — 487-3288
lgrard@centralmaine.com