Monday, May 6, 2019

Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School: The No Place for Hate Project

Lindbergh Schweitzer Elementary School, is the recipient of a grant offered by the San Diego Unified School District to train 25 of our fourth and fifth grade students in the No Place for Hate program this fall with the Anti-Defamation League. This training empowered students to create a positive school climate, address bullying and build an inclusive school community by promoting unity and respect. Schools who received grants, promise to complete three campus wide projects throughout the school year so that each student in grades K-5 learn the tenets of the program.

The first step in this project was for 
Lindbergh Schweitzer counselor, Darlene Kanzler, to teach classroom lessons about valuing diversity, including each other and respecting differences. Each student had the opportunity to share what makes them unique or different from their schoolmates, what is difficult about this difference and what is positive about it. This generated deep conversations and gave kids the opportunity to express things that have been inside of them for years.

The next step was to create an art piece that could be enjoyed by our entire community. 
Lindbergh Schweitzer Media Production Assistant, Terri James, made the outline of a Peace Dove and blank feathers for each student and staff member to decorate in a way that expressed their uniqueness. Terri documented the entire process, which can be seen in this video: https://www.sandiegounified.org/schools/lindbergh-schweitzer/no-place-hate-project The finished Peace Dove has more than 400 decorated feathers and is over 7 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Lindbergh Schweitzer have the Peace Dove hanging in the main office so parents and students feel welcomed the moment they step into the building. This project demonstrates our school’s and district's commitment to valuing all of our students while teaching students how to create a kind and accepting learning environment.