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."