Day of Silence, Day of Respect, Safe Spaces, Use Another Word. All of these are events and programs that students at Mount Si and Cedarcrest High Schools have introduced to address the widespread problem of bullying and harassment in their schools.

While none of them are solutions in themselves, all of them strive to raise awareness about the issues, especially for minorities and GLBTQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning) youth.

During the Day of Silence, which is Friday, April 15, at Mount Si High School, participants stop speaking for the day in solidarity with GLBTQ people.

Cedarcrest High School does not observe the Day of Silence; it usually observes a Day of Respect, which focuses on tolerance for diversity. Use Another Word is Cedarcrest High School’s new program, calling on students to sign a pledge to stop the use of racists, sexist, homophobic, and other language derogatory of students with a disability or in a miniority.

Safe Spaces, an old program with a new face, enlists Mount Si High School teachers to create classrooms in which abusive language is not allowed.

When asked what Day of Silence is all about, members of the Gay-Straight Alliance Club said it’s a way to stand up to bullying, raise awareness and show others that you’re an ally.

These were the answers that GSA advisor Eric Goldhammer was hoping the students would hear when they asked fellow students about Day of Silence.

He also expected to hear some of the other answers in the room, such as “it supports gay rights” and “it’s a protest.”

Day of Silence could be these things, too, but essentially, the day is what students make it, Goldhammer said. The event is organized and led by students, and this year, the students are also presenting a preliminary training for Day of Silence participants. The training will cover students’ rights to speak or not, as well as the expectations for them in school that day, since it will be a normal school day.

“I’m hoping that it really helps people, the people who are participating, understand what GLBTQ kids are going through,” said Landon Edwards, a GSA club member and a trainer at the info meetings.

Other students chorus agreement. One girl feels the issue has been ignored for too long, and it frustrates her “to hear kids in the hallways using derogatory words like ‘queer’ and ‘fag’ without even knowing what it means.”

Most of the GSA members are sophomores, Goldhammer said, and few were in school in 2008 when the event reached a peak in controversy. Because of those past events, the Snoqualmie Valley School District will close Mount Si High School campus to visitors for the day.

About 200 students, or 13 percent of the student body, take part, according to the club.

The district’s position on Day of Silence indicates that students are within their right to free speech to hold the Day of Silence, provided the event is not disruptive to the school day.