Volunteers Wanted: Mendham School Diversity, Inclusion Panel

MENDHAM, NJ — To foster “equality, tolerance, acceptance, unity and kindness” in Mendham eighth graders, the school district is looking for volunteers from the community for a special “Diversity and Inclusion” panel.

The panel for eighth graders at Mendham Township Middle School is planned for Friday, Jan. 7, 2022, with panelists there to share a positive message for students.

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COVID has sidelined a New York City field trip students usually do in January, the school district explained in a social media post and plan to do virtual events instead, one with the United Nations among them. The Diversity and Inclusion panel is going to be a part of the lineup that day.

Panelists who participate will be asked different questions, including why diversity and inclusion is important to them, how both have played roles in their lives and careers, the long-term consequences of ignoring both and if the panelist has ever been on the receiving end of not being accepted for their diversity.

The panelists will be asked to share how they helped someone or how they prevailed over diversity challenges and give students a takeaway message on the topics of diversity and inclusion.

Those interested in volunteering should contact Amanda Porter by Friday, Dec. 17 at aporter@mendhamtwp.org.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.