A letter from La Grande School District in response to ‘Joe Bell’ movie
By Paul Hall on Monday, July 19th, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – (An Open Letter from La Grande School District) With the upcoming release of the movie “Joe Bell,” the La Grande School District joins in remembering the lives of Jadin Bell, a former student of La Grande High School, and his father, Joe Bell. On behalf of the La Grande School District, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and community as we remember the tragic loss of student Jadin Bell in February 2013 and the death of his father, Joe Bell, later that year.
Knowing how interconnected our community is, I feel it is important to reach out. When the film debuts, it will be a reminder of a great loss and many among us will need love and support. I also know so many of you have faced difficult struggles of your own. This is a crucial time to reflect on the full range of ways we can all support young people in our communities.
The movie “Joe Bell” will soon be out in theaters on July 23, 2021. Please be aware that the film will have themes related to Jadin growing up as a child and his life experience of not feeling accepted and supported by those around him. He was bullied for being gay, and the effect it had on him was immeasurable, contributing to the circumstances of his suicide.
After Jadin’s death, Joe advocated for students who experience bullying for being gay. He began spreading awareness of the challenges gay children face and the effects those can have. Joe passed away in October 2013, just a few months after his son’s death, while participating on a walk that began as a tribute to his son.
LGBTQ2SIA+ students often experience discrimination, harassment, and bias at school and in their lives. These experiences can send students a message that they do not belong and can lead to depression and other mental health challenges. This may lead to suicidal ideation or suicide. As adults, we have a responsibility to do everything in our power to ensure that young people in our lives are affirmed and supported for exactly who they are.
Our district’s commitment is to ensure we have a positive and inclusive school experience in which all students can thrive academically within an affirming school community. Furthermore, it is our responsibility as professionals to provide a safe and caring setting for every student.
If you are an adult and a young person in your life comes to you for understanding, support, and affirmation – whether they are your student, child, or simply someone who trusts you – our school district has plans and resources in place to help. If you are a student and are in crisis or need any kind of mental health support, our district will be there for you. Here are just a few of the resources offered or recommended by our district:
1. Our School Based Health Center and the counseling support we offer through our K-8 day treatment program remain open this summer. In addition, you can reach out by email to your building administrator if any concern arises, and they will call you or have other counseling support staff call you. For more information go to www.lagrandesd.org/cultureofcare.
2. Addressing grief and loss is often difficult and, if students have questions, you may want to be prepared to talk with them about this situation. A good resource to use when talking with young people about suicide is the Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, www.sptsusa.org.
3. Should you wish to better understand what LGSD has in place to support students who experience bullying or mental health trauma, please go to www.lagrandesd.org/cultureofcare to review LGSD’s Bully Matrix & Reference Guide and our LGSD-Suicide Prevention/Intervention/Postvention plan.
4. LGSD has a Gender and Sexuality Alliance club (Formerly Gay-Straight Alliance) that has been in place for the past eight school years. Should you wish to learn more about this club please read the following news article – The Genders and Sexualities Alliance at LHS. If you are concerned about bullying, a tip line is located at https://www.safeoregon.com/.
You can also review the new LGSD Culture of Care resources website www.lagrandesd.org/cultureofcare to see the many programs, activities, and resources we have in place.
As we remember Jadin and Joe Bell, let us renew our commitment to ensure that every student is healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and affirmed so they can reach their full potential.
*The terms used to describe gender identities and sexual orientations are fluid and changing: LGBTQ2SIA + as an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, and Asexual. The plus also indicates that there are many other ways people may identify.
A link to a letter from Lola Lathrop, Jadin Bell’s mother. Statement_from_Lola_Lathrop.pdf (core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com)
