Can a wall furnace at school make you feel unsafe?
All by itself, a wall furnace is just a wall furnace. But, when a wall furnace which is about bench level high is located at the base of the stair leading up to the choir and band rooms, it takes on a whole new purpose.
When I was in high school during the early 70’s, I played the flute in the band. Back then, boys could wear pants but not girls. As a matter of fact, our skirts had to touch the floor when we were on our knees. This meant, everyday every girl at school had on a dress or a skirt. It didn’t take the boys long to figure out if they sat on the wall furnace at the foot of the stairs during class change, they might get a glimpse up one of the girls skirts if they were lucky. They snickered and made comments to the girls as they climbed the stairs
Every girl knew what the boys were doing. Most of the girls would hold their skirt as they juggled their books and climbed the stairs. This wasn’t easy especially if you had a large band instrument to carry as well. All four years of high school, I do not recall the boys ever being told not to sit on that furnace.
We know there are places still at school where girls and boys don’t feel safe. Start Strong is curious so we are asking these questions:
KIDS: Where do YOU feel unsafe at school? Do you have a place that gives you that uneasy feeling? Blog us and tell us about it.
ADULTS: Where was that unsafe “wall furnace” place for you? What can adults do to make it better for our kids? Blog us and share your thoughts.
Nancy Carroll, Program Director
Start Strong Wichita, a project of Catholic Charities
