AMHERST — On a bulletin board inside an Amherst Regional Middle School classroom, a display put together by health teacher Tina Taylor references hopes and freedoms and ways the school community can build a solid foundation of valuing every person.
Arriving for the first day of the new school year Wednesday morning, Taylor was grateful to see community members on the school’s front lawn offering visible support for all students and staff, including those who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I think this is phenomenal,” Taylor said. “I’m gay myself, and to see the welcoming signs, the rainbow umbrellas and the bubbles, the acceptance is very heartwarming.”
“This sends the message of acceptance, which I think we greatly need,” Taylor added.
Organized by the ad hoc LGBTQIA+ Caucus, about 20 individuals held signs with phrases like “U R Fabulous” and “Protect LGBTQIA+ students” and rainbow umbrellas, as bubbles of all colors streamed from a machine.
Two years after allegations surfaced about anti-trans actions against students by three counselors at the building, which led to their being dismissed from employment, one of those counselors, Delinda Dykes, has been ordered back by a judge. Dykes, though, is currently on paid administrative leave.
Ali Wicks-Lim, who helped organize the action and is part of the Rainbow Organizing and Response team, which uses umbrellas as its visuals, said the gathering is about showing support, even if none of those at the center of the incidents are at the middle school, and both the school and district leadership have changed.
“These conversations take a toll on kids,” Wicks-Lim said. “These kids should know they are loved and supported. It’s important that we show up for them.”
Students began arriving, on foot, by bus or by parent drop off, with some embracing each other after the summer away, or offering compliments about their new looks. As some passed by on the sidewalk, a few offered thank yous, while others could be seen waving from the buses, some of whose drivers honked the horns.
Superintendent E. Xiomara Herman and several members of the district’s leadership team acknowledged their presence, as well, applauding them for offering love to both students and staff.
“Thank you for supporting our children,” Herman said. “We need to make sure that students and colleagues know that we all matter and belong here.”
Herman, who gave Wicks-Lim a hug, was also presented a rainbow umbrella, which she said she intends to display in her office.
Some parents escorting their children to the school also applauded the action.
“I love seeing all the love in the community,” said Cynthia Mentzler, who was joined by David Smith in bringing seventh grader Isidora Mentzler to the front doors.
“It’s great to see people coming out to support students,” Smith said.
Among those at the rally were Deb Kolodny, a member of the town’s Human Rights Commission, who held a sign of support for the LGTBQIA+ community and noting herself as a queer rabbi, and Laura Jane Hunter, who had two children at the middle school at the time of the alleged anti-trans incidents, and is running for School Committee.
Also part of the event was Dawn Kennedy of Leverett, a middle school parent who said while it’s hard to measure its impact, she saw a few big smiles from the students on the buses and received some acknowledgments from seventh and eighth graders who walked by.
“I want to make sure all of the kids here feel welcome and that we celebrate the diversity of our students,” Kennedy said. “I think that if we even touch the heart of one student, it’s 100% worth it.”
