ADL Designates Seven San Ramon Valley School as 'No Place for Hate' Sites

From San Ramon Valley Unified School District: The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has designated seven San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) schools as “No Place for Hate” sites. The schools are recognized for creating safe and respectful learning environments, bringing awareness to the issues of bullying and bias throughout the 2016-2017 school year.

Each school will be presented a No Place for Hate banner in official recognition of this achievement. Media are invited to attend the California High School recognition. Details are:

• Date: May 15, 2017
• When: 3:05 p.m.
• Where: California High School Library
  
  • 9870 Broadmoor Drive
  • San Ramon, CA 94583

No Place For Hate is an ADL initiative offering students, teachers, administrators and family members the opportunity to work together to enhance a culture of respect in the school community. The program encourages schools to complete various activities and projects to promote unity and reduce bullying, name-calling and other expressions of bias.

“The San Ramon Valley Unified School District is grateful for the Anti-Defamation League for its generous support of our students, staff and parents,” SRVUSD Superintendent Rick Schmitt said. “As a District, we are committed to providing opportunities to engage our students and staff in open dialogues about inclusion, tolerance and bias. The ADL program is one of many efforts by SRVUSD to ensure that this conversation continues not only this school year but into the future.”

The following schools will be recognized this year:

• California High School
• Charlotte Wood Middle School
• Golden View Elementary
• Live Oak Elementary
• Pine Valley Middle School
• Quail Run Elementary
• Twin Creeks Elementary

As an example of a No Place for Hate school, California High School is committed to building an inclusive school community and embraces the No Place for Hate program that promotes harmony, encourages students to respect others and eliminates toxic results of prejudice.

California High School represents different cultures, religions and nationalities, and serves as a microcosm of the San Ramon Valley community. The students and staff have deepened their understanding of bias and bullying and have used the No Place for Hate designation process as an opportunity to reflect and grow. The power of the program lies in its student-driven base. Students brainstorm, decide on incentives, and make it happen.

“Our staff, students and community are committed to building a school culture that values differences and ensures that everyone feels safe. I am most proud of what our students have done to start and expand programs that give voice to marginalized groups on campus. Cal High is dedicated to continuing the work that we did this year to promote inclusion and diversity,” said California High School Principal Sarah Cranford.

To earn the No Place for Hate school status, students and staff commit to creating a student-led coalition, signing the Resolution of Respect and hosting at least three diversity related activities throughout the year. As part of the Resolution of Respect, students pledge to do their best to combat prejudice, promote respect for people and make commitments to creating communities of harmony.

The No Place for Hate program is just one of the many programs and initiatives that SRVUSD has in place to provide tolerant and inclusive environments where students and staff treat each other with respect. These include:

• Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Teaching and Learning
• Inclusion Professional Development and Teaching Techniques
• Digital Citizenship
• Second Step
• Soul Shoppe
• Character Counts
• Positive Behavior Interventions & Support
• Climate Committee comprised of kids, staff and parents
• Gay Straight Alliance Clubs and Annual Gay Straight Alliance Forum
• Black Student Unions
• Muslim student groups
• Breaking down the Walls
• Visit by Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine
• People First Language
• Anti-discrimination policy
• Bullying Policy/Reporting Protocols
• Equity Task Force

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