A new program at Orchard Alternative High School has brought awareness to issues in the community and a sense of understanding over students’ differences and what makes them who they are.

The C.L.A.S.S. program at Orchard high school in Monroe has brought recognition to the community and students’ differences that make them who they are.

According to Principal Chantelle Henry, the program called C.L.A.S.S.  (Communities Learning about Shared Space) has made students at Orchard feel more comfortable expressing their differences in a safe, judge-free environment.

The program is built on a 5-step system, which was adapted from a national program by Mayor Robert Clark, members of the City Council and other concerned community members, according to Henry.

One of the many goals that the group has to accomplish is step #2 in the C.L.A.S.S. program’s 5-step system.

“We want to come together as a community, have fun, and have conversations to better help our community,” Henry, who officially started the program at Orchard in September, said.

The organization has made many differences in the community, but has also faced a few challenges. “Sometimes it’s hard to talk about difficult topics, like discrimination, for example. We want to bring light to these issues and how to handle them in different ways,” Henry said. The program would like to bring awareness to these issues in the community and school.

Stuart Eastman, a biology teacher at the high school, is interested in starting the program at MHS.

“I want to make Monroe High and the community a better place for everyone,” Eastman said.

Eastman said the group would talk about various topics and differences that our community has. “We would discuss what the students want; that might include race, sexuality, sexual orientation, gender equality, religions, etc.,” said Eastman.

Travis Trombley, an English teacher at Monroe High, also said that he would be interested in starting the program at Monroe.
“It’s important for there to be a structured space for these topics. It’s worth giving a shot and would allow teachers and students to interact,” Trombley said.