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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 3, 2021)
DECEMBER 03, 2021, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 DIRECTOR: “(Students) don't need to be forced to see other people for their gender, their race, their sexuality or any of that. It's overwhelming for these kids.” Continued from page A1 In a call with the Keizertimes on Monday, Nov. 29, Bethell stressed that her decision to look at other options was what is best for her and her family, but may not be best for everyone. “I understand that my post, for some reason, alarms people because I'm on the school board. But I'm fi rst and foremost, a mom and my kids are my priority,” said Bethell. “I get asked every day, twice today by two diff erent families on separate sides of the district, what else they can be doing for their kids. And I don't have the answer because every family is diff erent. All the circumstances that go into every house- hold are unique and I'm not set apart from that.” Bethell’s post comes as safety in Salem- Keizer schools has become a hot topic in both the community and on the school board. Bethell said that the safety she was referring to was “not necessarily the fi ght- ing” but the “political environment” that pride. Bethell, who is conservative, claims that this isn’t political. She said her daugh- ter, who is in middle school, doesn’t need to be forced “to see other people for their gender, their race, their sexuality, or any of that. It’s overwhelming for these kids.” Bethell lives in Keizer and graduated from McKay High School in Salem in 1997. She said that she ran for the school board in 2019 because she was a “pissed off mom.” Due to the way the school dis- trict and school board are set up, however, Bethell said the role hasn’t come with the infl uence she expected. exists in schools that “fosters the pitting of one against the other.” “In some of the classrooms in I literally have no this district, we want to force kids into some level of identity when power as a school they haven't even fi gured out how board member to comb their hair properly,” said Bethell. “We're forcing kids at young ages to take on the — DANIELLE BETHELL education and defi nition of cer- Salem-Keizer School Board Director tain types of identity, whether it be gender or sexuality or race or culture, and it's literally by opin- "I literally have no power as a school ion, stealing their innocence from them.” Public school curriculum has become a board member,” Bethell said. “The only highly politicized topic across the country authority that we have as a school board as school boards and parents have worked is to hire and fi re the superintendent and to ban “political” topics from schools. In pass a budget.” Bethell said that her and her family Newberg, Ore., the school board voted in September to ban district employees have yet to make a fi nal decision but that from displaying any sort of political or multiple people had messaged her with controversial symbols or images, such as diff erent opportunities for homeschool- support for Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ ing pods in the community. St. Edwards hosts pre-Thanksgiving feast of the Week presented by ALICIA SELF Where and how do you volunteer? "• Keizer Chamber Runs (Emcee & Packet Pickup) • Keizer Chamber KeizerFest (They plug me in where I’m needed) • Portland Oregon Chive Charities (Admin for Oregon Chapter) • Shop with a Cop (Marion County) • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (Out of the Darkness Walk Chair-Salem, Oregon)" Why do you volunteer? " I volunteer because I want to be that change in people's lives for better. To give people a little nugget of hope when they’re hurting. Showing someone love and support during the lowest points in their lives could be the moment they needed to push through. Supporting families that are suff ering a loss makes them know they aren’t alone. Giving someone the tools they need to be successful themselves, gives them purpose. Whether you’re there for them with a fi nancial gift, a holiday meal, an experience, or sometimes just a hug, you are making the world better." What does volunteering do for you? " Volunteering is a form of life for me. It’s gotten me through the lowest points in Hungry locals enjoy the pre-Thanksgiving Keizer Community Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 24 at St. Edwards Church. Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes sudoku brainfood Volunteer Michelle Litsey helped serve din- ner at the event. my life by fi lling the void I had. It opens Photo by MATT RAWLINGS of Keizertimes diff erently. Being a good person and my heart to view the world and people doing good deeds overall improves your life. Mentally, Physically, Emotionally, and Spiritually. That moment you instill hope and faith in another person, is life changing for you too." sudoku answers pg A9 How would you get others to volunteer in their community? " I would ask other community members to fi nd an organization that hits their heart. Have you been homeless? Volunteer at a shelter. Have you lost a loved one to Suicide? Volunteer with an organization like AFSP to support others like you. Have you gone hungry? Volunteer at a food bank. Have you gone without a Christmas? Volunteer for KNOW's Giving Basket Program and give kids a Christmas. Find a need in something that hits your heart personally. It’s so much more meaningful. There will Enter digits 1-9 into blank spaces. Every row must contain one of each digit. So must every column, & every 3x3 square. maze by Jonathan Graf of Keizer always be needs out there, you just need to fi nd the one that best suits you."