Greenwich High School recently received a ‘No Place for Hate’ designation by the Anti-Defamation League.
The ADL recognized eight Connecticut schools for their commitment to promoting equitable and respectful learning environments, designated them as No Place for Hate schools. These are the first schools in the state to have participated and completed ADL’s No Place for Hate program.
In the coming year, ADL will be expanding the initiative into a greater number of communities across the region.
Greenwich High School Dean of Student Life Pereira said, “It truly was a team effort to bring this designation to Greenwich High School – under the tutelage of Bowbeer and Pugliese, the advisors, who did a tremendous job moving us forward, headed in the right direction, and focused on the end goal – bringing No Place for Hate to Greenwich High School. The student committee was also instrumental as they did a tremendous job of putting together a website, getting the activities up and running, and making those all-important morning announcements signifying what No Place for Hate is and its importance at our school. I’m immensely proud of the team’s efforts, especially during a Pandemic.”
According to the ADL, “The initiative is a school climate improvement program that provides staff, students and their families with a framework to take a stand against all forms of hate and communicate a clear, unified message that all students have a place where they belong.
No Place for Hate first launched in CT in 2019-2020 with a pilot program at Hamden High School. Since the full launch of the program in the Fall of 2020, students, teachers, and administrators from each school completed a series of school-wide initiatives designed to build more inclusive and equitable communities. As part of their participation schools were required to form a committee, host a school-wide pledge signing, and hold at least three activities that involve active learning that focus on recognizing differences and promoting respect. To commemorate this achievement, each school will be awarded with a banner to mark their commitment to No Place for Hate.
Eight schools completed the program since it launched in Connecticut in the Fall of 2020: in Hamden – Hamden High School, Hamden Middle School, and Hamden Hall Country Day School; in Trumbull – Trumbull High School; in Ridgefield – Ridgefield High School; in Greenwich – Greenwich High School; In Glastonbury – Gideon Welles School; and in Fairfield – Fairfield College Preparatory School.
ADL Connecticut Education Director Ms. Michelle Pincince shared, “I am enormously proud of the commitment these eight schools made to keep their school communities focused of addressing bias and bullying in the midst of a global pandemic. Educating our young people is an important step towards eradicating hate. In the coming year, we hope to expand the initiative’s outreach to more schools in our region to ensure that Connecticut will be No Place for Hate.