Six Kyrene schools receive "No Place for Hate" designation

Posted May 2020 

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has announced its list of schools in Arizona that have earned the designation of a “No Place for Hate” for 2020.

Six Kyrene schools: Cielo, Lomas, Manitas, Waggoner, Altadeña and Kyrene Middle School all made the list. The “No Place for Hate” designation reflects a school climate of tolerance and acceptance and is awarded to K-12 schools that complete campus-wide anti-bullying activities, led by student leaders.

ADL’s No Place for Hate® initiative is a school climate improvement framework for K-12 schools and their communities. The program guides schools through completing campus-wide activities that promote ally behaviors and reduce bullying and bias. There are more than 1,800 schools participating in the program nationwide.

To earn a designation as a “No Place for Hate” campus, a school must do the following: sign the “No Place for Hate” pledge to stand up to bullying and create an environment of respect and safe learning for every student; create a student-led coalition of teachers, staff and parents who are responsible for identifying bias and bullying issues in their school; develop measurable goals to address these issues; and complete three ADL-approved activities that address bias and bullying through discussion, active learning, and action planning.

“I am honored and so proud that Kyrene leads the state in the number of ‘No Place for Hate’ designated schools,” said Kyrene Superintendent Dr. Jan Vesely. “Our school leaders work very hard to create learning environments that are welcoming to all students. The schools that have earned this important designation can be very proud of their efforts to take a stand against bullying and break down the barriers of exclusion so that every student feels like they are seen and belong.”

This achievement is reflective of Kyrene’s ongoing commitment to inclusion for all students, one of the primary goals of the District’s Strategic Plan 2022.