By Mary O’KEEFE

This week Crescenta Valley High School students are hosting Solidarity Week. They are painting banners, signing pledges of support and working with teachers to make their classrooms a welcoming place for all.

The week used to be called Ally Week; however, that was changed with the guidance of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), an organization that was founded by a group of teachers in 1990. GLSEN supports schools with research and guidance on policies designed to protect LGBTQ students as well as students of marginalized identities, according to GLSEN.

GLSEN changed the term Ally Week to Solidarity Week after student feedback indicated it wanted to make the week more inclusive.

David Platt is a teacher at CVHS and an advisor for the GSA (Gender Sexuality Alliance) club at the school. He said changing the name now highlights solidarity with any group, or individual, who feels isolated.

Throughout the week other clubs and organizations will show their solidarity in a variety of ways including the football team wearing a solidarity decal on players’ helmets and the CVHS chorus performing for students. The school newspaper dedicated its paper to Solidarity Week.

“All clubs were invited to do something to show their solidarity,” Platt said. “I think aside from any one specific group it is important for us to form relationships with people who are not like us.”

He added that through talking to others with differing lifestyles and viewpoints people can find common ground.

“Then you learn more about yourself and learn more about people who are different from you, and you form relationships with respect,” he said.

The purpose of the week is to cultivate a climate at CVHS that is inclusive, caring and kind, said Max Soldano, a senior at CVHS.

Solidarity Week is typically held in November but schools are encouraged to work within their own schedules to designate the week. Rosemont Middle School is also hosting the Ally/Solidarity Week during the same time, which includes students signing pledges of support for not just one community of students but for all who feel isolated.