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District schools affirm commitment to promoting respect, diversity
By Lititz Record
Lititz Record Express
Published: Jun 05, 2008 10:42 AM EST
Lititz -
In separate ceremonies on May 28 and 29, students and faculty from all six
schools in Warwick School District celebrated their designations as No
Place for Hate, having each completed anti-bias and anti-bullying
programs.
A representative from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
attended the ceremonies and presented each school with its official
designation banner. To earn this distinction, each school formed a No Place
for Hate committee, adopted a resolution pledging to create a more
inclusive school, and implemented a number of projects promoting respect
for differences.
At John R. Bonfield Elementary School, sixth grade
students all "gave a hand" to paint a mural depicting two hands
helping each other. A No Place for Hate message was written in the center
and each year the new sixth grade class will add their hand/thumbprints to
the outer border. Students also participated in Mingle n Munch, where
students ate lunch with peers not from their regular social
circles.
John Beck Elementary School held a week-long kick-off,
which included Magnet Art Day, during which students made magnets depicting
their family heritage or a No Place for Hate theme, and a movie and
discussion day. In addition, a learning facilitator presented bullying
prevention lessons and tips to each classroom, and guest Quay Hanna spoke
to students about how to handle bullying situations and emphasized the
importance of treating all people with respect and kindness.
Warwick
Middle School held an African American Read-In, which introduced students
to African American authors and helped students learn the importance of
equality and respect. Students also met new peers and made new friends
during "Mix it Up" at Lunch Day, and attended a performance of
the Diary of Anne Frank, which exposed students to the life and hardships
of Anne Frank and other Holocaust survivors and victims.
Kissel Hill
Elementary School held an Acceptance Assembly with guest speaker Senator
Mike Brubaker. To prepare for the assembly, each class held a discussion
centered around the question, "What can you do to make Kissel Hill a
No Place for Hate school?"
Student and faculty also
participated in a character education program, learning about traits such
as respect and generosity, and read and engaged in lessons around "The
Sneetches," a Dr. Seuss book focusing on treating others with kindness
despite their differences.
Students at Lititz Elementary School
watched a performance of "Bocon," a play about a young boy who
flees Central America for the United States. The play touches upon many
relevant topics, such as war and immigration, and helps children develop an
appreciation and understanding of diversity. In addition, students watched
the movie "People" during Diversity Movie Day, which generated
discussion about how people all over the world are similar and different,
and how differences do not need to cause conflict but, rather, should bring
about understanding and appreciation.
Students from Warwick High
School traveled to McCaskey High School in Lancaster as the start of an
exchange program between the two schools. The exchange is an opportunity to
bridge the gaps between the suburban school and the city school, and
students were amazed at how much they had in common after the first
visit.
McCaskey students followed suit a month later, going to
Warwick to meet their counterparts.
School staff, students and
members of the community also ran and walked in the 5K Race Against Racism,
which raised awareness about racism in an effort to attain peace, justice,
freedom and dignity for all people.
The Warwick schools are part of
approximately 130 schools across the state currently participating in the
No Place for Hate program.
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