Severely handicapped class arrives - The Lowell

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EDITORIALS.
AIDS
discussion
beneficial
AU studecB in the San Francisco Unifrd School Dtarkt
were educated about Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(AIDS) during die month of M«y. The district-wide
program wu mandated by the Eottnl of Education. Tkt
lawrtflluuta and commends the Lowell faculty for joining
together to address the topic of AIDS, which umil now
h*» been a subject largely ignored in the San Francisco
KhooU.
According to Principal Aim ribish, the immediuc
faculty response m an understandable one: "I don't think
1 know enough about this to teach it." After the school
boant initially appro ml the proposal. Finish recalled thai
there wu ever, tome resistance on uV part of some
principals.
A respected "cider of a teacher's organization quelled
teacher opposition in the district somewhat by stressing
HIM «,C are faced with u epidemic, end that although a
tocher may not hare all the facts, there is no one better
qualified to leach about AIDS than a teacher. The Lowell
faculty attended a lecture ind discustai session on die
AIDS epidemic in May.
On Tuesday. May 20. the teachings in that session were
revealed duri-ft an extended registry, where reg. teachers
taught the f»ctt about AIDS: what it is. how it is spread,
bow it may be avoided.
"I thought it was extremely well arganized jnd well
Naught-through. It turned out oetter than I expected."
commented English tocher Jo Arm Stewart. "One reason
1 think i: was such a wcvess was that the kids were so
cuiperativc.''
' Tic school district wants to avoid the terrible things
which have happciKd in other districts where kids who
are alrtody under so much preuure (as a result or being
afl!icted with AIDS) arc not ullowcc: to go to school."
Counselor Doe Wong was pleased with the way the
situation was handled. "No matter wh?t our feelings about
it arc. not talking, about it is not going to make it go away.
It's such a threat, people havr to know about it."
... reg. teachers taught the facts
about AIDS: what it is, how it
is spread, how it may be
avoided.
Regarding the cooperative anitudes which many
teachers adopted in reference to the subject, Wong ntionaliied.
"I don't see why there should be any qiulms
about leaching it (AIDS). This is the same as any other
type of lesson."
Although the methods of instruction varied from
registry to registry, one complaint sounded loud and clear
from registries throughout the schocl. If :tudcnu arc expected
to leant about AIDS, why were the blue booklets
handed out at the beginning of the instruction collected
at the cod?
Dr. Fibish concluded by remarking. "The -wst
dangerous commodity is ignorance." It was the hope of
the school district that AIDS education in the cU^rcom
would hclu to replace myth with fact. The Lc*tU appreciate*
the work of all involved in tie project and supports
AIDS education in the classroom as a courageous
step in the right direction.
Time for new books?
Kermesse creates cohesiveness
Last week the Lowell community observed its annual
rite of spring—die Kermesse. As in post years, the event
was a major success. It 'vas a success. Tint of all. in thit
the students and faculty obviously had fun. It was a timely
divenion from the daily grind, and it afforded everyone
an opportunity to rcleav some nf the tension that has
begun to build up as the faculty and student bod) begin
their preparations for the serious business of final exams.
Additionally, while it is probably not a major financial
event, it does produce some revenue for the participating
clubs and interest groups.
These 'jeneflts in themselves more than justify the lime
and effort involved in the Kermesse's planning and execution.
However, the real benefit of the Kermesse
transcends diversion and economics. It does n>uch to bring
the Lowell community together in a cohesive manner. The
school's diversity is at once its great asset and something
of a lability. On the positive side, Lowell students obtain
an exus dimension to their education in their exposure
to so rrnny different cultures. But this some diversity tends
to cause fragmentation in the student body. Lowell is i.x
It was a timely diversion from the
daily grind.
as close as a student community as some schools whose
makeup is more homogeneous. Or course. Lowell's large
sac contributes signiikanUy to the tendency Tor the community
to break down into subgroups, which in many
cases hardly know or inwact with each other. In any case
events like the Kcrmeue do much to r£set and mitiga^
the fragmentation and estrangement 'Jut if probably intrinsic
in eo Urge and diverse a community.
. . .the real benefit of- the
Kermesse transcends diversion
and economics.
THE LOWELL applauds and expresses gratitude on
behalf of the entire community to the students, teachers
and staff members who give their time every year • J this
very successful and beneficial event.
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