Writer's Workshop Portfolio

How LGBTQ people are treated at Heritage Middle School
By: Isaiah Alverio

Suicidal rates for LGBTQ students are increasing by the day; approximately 34,000 per year and 64% of that is the LGBTQ youth. However, Heritage Middle School is helping to decrease that number. They're starting an LGBTQ group to help people who are different. A teacher that attends HMS explained, "It's totally student driven. They will be in control of the things we do. I think that this group will be a great thing for students to come to. We will have field trips, activities, talk time, and games."

Imagine coming into school and not only feeling like you don't fit in, but that you are not the ordinary person in our society. You are gay, and afraid to come out knowing that people might not accept it. But you also want to come out because it will release 10 pounds off your shoulders. What do you do?

This groups goal is to provide a safe environment for students to come to for help and guidance. Their name for the group so far is the "Gay-Straight Alliance". Their group is not only for LGBTQ students, but is also for people who need someone to talk to. Heritage is also teaming up with Freedom Middle School, making it better for students there too.

A student explained, "I think this group is good for students that just want to be them self. I also think that this will be a great thing for heritage because sooner or later, we will all have to accept it. Getting students used to this will form a better generation for our future." And so it becomes even more clear that the Gay-Straight Alliance will be a great thing to start for district 100.

Some things that you can do to lower the suicide rates for LGBTQ students are that more schools need to have programs like this. This will give students confidence, courage, and a little push in life to start moving towards things they can do on their own. These things can include: being an advocate for others, spreading the word, or gaining self strength.

Another thing that people can do is allow schools to educate parents on these topics. This will help the students at home. For example, if their parents get into a fight over the topic or something similar, there is an increased chance that the students grades might drop. If parents however, understand what their child goes through a little better, this chance of grade dropping can decrease. This can also apply to anything else that can happen in a negative way to the child. Educating parents can also help them be advocates for the LGBTQ community. This can overall help our future generation.











Bad Principal
By: Isaiah A


      Ms.LaSalle, the principle of Heritage Middle School, was asked to leave district 100 in May of 2013. Rumors say that she left drugs in her desk, others say that she stole money from the school. Either way, no one knows truly why this happened.
      After she was escorted out, the school was left with no principal. This caused the district staff to quickly find a new one. Students were very confused and worried. According to one witness, "There are so many rumors, you don't know what to believe. But on my part, I'm worried about not having a principal!" Although left without a principal, the school was still in control by helping teachers. This gave some more time for the district to find one.
      A good two months passed, and we were finally granted with a new principal; by the name of Ms.Butler. When she came into the school, she assigned some new rules that the students weren't happy about. Falcon fouls, and strict teachers. As a result, students started to be more behaved. After all the new rules and the new principal, students are more disciplined, and more successful. Before this happened, the school was out of control; since we have changed, things are starting to get better and better by the day.