On Friday, some Whitefish High School students will observe a Day of Silence to protest the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and allies.

Participating students will not speak the entire day, representing what the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network calls the silencing effect bullying and harassment causes. The group sponsors the nationwide event.

The Whitefish High School chapter of the Gay-Straight Alliance teamed up with the Big Dawg Club to organize the local event, wrapping up “Think Before You Speak Week.” 

The Big Dawg Club is a group of students whose declared mission is to promote respect between students with and without disabilities and end the use of the word “retard.” 

An item in Thursday’s high school bulletin reminded students what the Day of Silence and Think Before You Speak Week are about.

“This week we are calling on our school to end name-calling, bullying and harassment on our campus against anyone who is discriminated against for any reason, including race, disability or lifestyle choices.”

The high school’s Gay-Straight Alliance chapter has observed the Day of Silence for roughly six or seven years, Principal Kerry Drown said.

For students who choose to participate to be exempt from talking during class, they had to sign up with the clubs Tuesday and Wednesday. Daily bulletin announcements reminded students to sign up and “Stop by the table at lunch to support this great cause.” 

Drown said school-approved activities are included in the bulletin and that the wording did not mean the school advocated a specific group or cause. He said the student clubs submit their own wording for the daily bulletin items. 

“The school is not advocating for any particular group. What the school advocates for is respect for all. That is the over-arching premise for this activity produced by this group,” Drown said. “I would not interpret it as particular support or choice of orientation, or sexual preference, or anything on those lines. It’s much broader than that.”

On Friday, students will wear ribbons signifying their participation and support in the Day of Silence.

According to the Whitefish High School 2014-15 student handbook, students are allowed certain rights in regard to student expression. 

The policy reads in part, “Students may enjoy the right of expression as provided in state and federal law. Students may not, by speech, conduct, or writings disrupt class work or educational programs, or cause substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others, or substantially interfere with the requirements of appropriate discipline, educational programs or other school activities in the operation of the school.”

Drown said the vow of silence in class does not disrupt educational programs or expectations of class participation. He said teachers work around students who choose to be silent — even if it might be an entire class — with alternative activities such as writing, reading or studying.

He estimates that in past years between 60 to 70 students have participated out of a total enrollment of roughly 500 students. Drown said he anticipates more participation since two clubs are sponsoring the event this year.

For more information about the Day of Silence, visit www.dayofsilence.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.