Arizona: Gilbert schools want off Day of Silence list

Two principals in the Gilbert Unified School District have asked that their schools not be listed as participants in the National Day of Silence by an organization opposing the event.
MissionAmerica.com's Web site listed Desert Ridge High and Gilbert High schools as participants in the Day of Silence, which is sponsored by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network.

The schools' principals asked that MissionAmerica.com, a Christian group, remove the school names after pressure from the family members of some students.

Desert Ridge's name has since been removed, although Gilbert High was still on the list as of Monday.

The school district has no "official" position regarding the day, said Dave Allison, associate superintendent. But if students choose not to participate and not talk in class, the consequences are up to the individual teacher, he said.

Matt Heil, co-chairman of the Phoenix chapter of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, said students who choose to be silent are asked to get permission first, and if they can't participate by not speaking in class, to choose to be silent between classes or at lunch

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