No Place for Hate is More Than a Designation By Dr. Stephen Lewis Sr., Leader of School Community Engagement, Bexley City Schools
This past school year, every Bexley school earned the title of “No Place for Hate.” That matters. It matters because it took a lot of work to get here. Students and staff invested their time and energy in projects that pushed all of us to think differently about what belonging looks like in our schools. The certificate is a proud symbol of that work. But what inspires me most is not the banner hanging on a wall. What will last are the connections created in the process. The moment a student chooses to stand up for a classmate. The conversations sparked in classrooms about respect and belonging. The pledge said out loud at our elementary schools, where children promised to stop unkindness, include others, and be mindful of how they treat one another. Those are the ideals that resonate with our students, young and old. No Place for Hate is not a slogan. It is a student stepping forward to challenge a stereotype. It is a club of young leaders planning an activity that makes their peers feel seen. It is the courage to say, “This space belongs to all of us.” The designation is an achievement worth celebrating, but it is also a commitment. It means we will continue this work, not just for recognition, but for the daily, lived experiences of our students. That is where the real change happens, and that is what will shape who we become together.
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