There have been a number of posts asking about the Minneapolis Public Schools' (MPS) position on the Boy Scouts. While a decision has not yet been made on this issue, Carol Johnson, MPS Superintendent, registered the MPS' concern with the organization's non-inclusiveness this past week. She was the honored guest at the Boy Scouts of America Fifth Annual Recognition Dinner on Tuesday, September 26, 2000. I am going to paste in the portion of her speech in which she discusses the values of scouting and the importance of inclusion. Carol said: "Thank you for this honor. I am humbled and grateful to you and the Boy Scouts to receive an award for work I consider to have given me a great deal more than I have ever given.... "Participation in programs like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts has allowed many students in our community to gain experiences far beyond their family circumstance. Whether developing a love of the outdoors, competing with friends in the Pinewood Derby, or developing a sense of their own ability to take on and complete a difficult challenge, many students-through scouting- have had the chance to build important and positive relationships with peers and adults and to become more productive citizens in our community. Having the opportunity to participate in safe, supervised and structured recreational and extended learning activities reduces the likelihood that our youth will be engaged in other risk-taking or self-destructive behaviors and contribute to school achievement. This is what General Colin Powell means when he describes "America's Promise." I believe the Minneapolis Public Schools and Boy Scouts are unified in our mission to help our youth reach their full potential. We are both in the business of transforming lives, and we hope our influence will result in leaders of tomorrow who are caring, educated, self-reliant, tolerant and ethical. "Despite our many areas of agreement, I must acknowledge that I do accept this award with some concerns. I would be remiss if I accepted this award without affirming the values and principles that guide the Minneapolis Public Schools and those of us committed to serving all in our community. Minneapolis Public Schools, as a public sector organization, is committed to inclusion and celebrates diversity of all types-racial/ethnic, religious, family background, language and sexual orientation. I, too, celebrate that diversity. "All of us want our youth to be connected and supported by adults who care about them and who will work to help them acquire the assets they will need to be successful. Our community, our cildren, our families are diverse. We must welcome all that truly want to serve. There is so much work to be done. We need as many caring adults as possible to be there for our youth. We must be more concerned about inappropriate behavior by any person than sexual orientation. Just as Boy Scouts has worked in the past to overcome its ethnic and religious barriers, we are challenged once again to pitch the tent larger. The Scouting movement has provided tremendous opportunities for our youth and has the chance to open the doors to all children who want to join; and to give those who want to serve, the opportunity to do so as well. Our focus must be on volunteers who care and seek to serve. Our focus must be in helping kids-not finding ways to exclude. "Boys Scouts has already demonstrated that it has a positive impact on our students' success and our community's future. I hope you will continue that tradition of open acceptance to all. "I appreciate your having honored me with this award and, again, I am happy to accept it in recognition of all in the Minneapolis School Community who serve our youth. I am hopeful that the Boy Scouts will always be a place where all of our youth and every single family will once again feel welcomed and supported. Thank you." End of Carol's speech Catherine Shreves Minneapolis School Board
