5 SCHOOLS LABELED 'NO PLACE FOR HATE'

The five secondary schools in the North Allegheny School District have been designated as “No Place for Hate” by ADL, formerly the Anti-Defamation League.

They received the designation during a virtual awards ceremony held May 28 at ADL-Cleveland.

The NA schools were awarded because of diversity initiatives, including:

• A project at Carson Middle, where students made an “Instagram profile” to represent them, their heritage, interests, activities, etc. These projects were displayed on each student’s locker throughout the school.

• A program called “Cross the Line” at Ingomar Middle to help students develop empathy for others and embrace differences.

• A meal at Marshall Middle School where students shared their cultural backgrounds. Also, halls were decorated with posters on African American history in February, Black History Month.

• Posters at the intermediate high school, researched and displayed by the Multicultural Student Union, on lesser-known figures who have made a difference in society. Also, students created a video and audio announcement about an individual, shown each Friday. Students also submitted statements or videos on how they plan to make the building “No Place for Hate.”

• A new position of diversity liaison at the senior high school.

• Social studies teacher Will Bishop, who teaches multicultural studies, used his duty periods to promote diversity initiatives and work with any student who felt marginalized. Also, an active Multicultural Student Union invites guests from the community to speak at its meetings about their experiences and cultural identity.

ADL’s “No Place for Hate” initiative provides K12 schools with an organized framework for combating bias, bullying and hatred. Since 1999, the initiative has helped promote anti-bias education in more than 1,600 public and private schools in the United States.