Marion Street Elementary School and Lynbrook North Middle School were recently designated 2019-2020 No Place for Hate schools by the Anti-Defamation League. To be selected, a school must demonstrate a positive, safe and inclusive learning environment for students by designing and implementing at least three school-wide anti-bias or bullying prevention activities approved by the ADL.

This school year, students and staff at both Marion Street and North Middle School followed the No Place for Hate program’s framework to promote inclusivity and respect in their buildings. Both the elementary and middle school students signed a No Place for Hate Resolution of Respect, promising to uphold the values of non-discrimination and acceptance. 

At Marion Street, members of the Character Education Committee and committee co-chairs Katie Bruno and Nicole Sherry were instrumental in bringing the No Place for Hate program to life. Among the school’s many activities, students participated in a schoolwide assembly where they discussed ways to be kind, read a book called “A Little Spot of Kindness” and received a paper kindness jar which they filled up with “spots” whenever they were “spotted being kind.” In addition, Marion Street third graders hosted their annual tribute to Joseph McNeil, a leader in the Civil Rights movement and member of the Greensboro Four. The school also held a fundraiser where they sold T-shirts with proceeds donated to Autism Speaks. 

At Lynbrook North Middle School, students also engaged in activities that encouraged cultural awareness, fostered inclusion and enhanced each student’s sense of identity. This included participating in Unity Day, No Name Calling Week and the Sandy Hook Promise’s Start with Hello Week. With the guidance of school social worker Sandra Gettenberg, members of North Middle School’s Equality 4 Everyone Club played a large role in supporting these initiatives along with students from throughout the building. It was a school-wide effort to earn the special designation.