Teaching Tolerance recognizes 104 schools for ‘Mix It Up at Lunch Day’ efforts

The SPLC’s Teaching Tolerance project today named 104 schools as Mix It Up Model Schools for their exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among students and throughout campus during the 2014-15 school year.

These schools participated in Teaching Tolerance’s signature event, Mix It Up at Lunch Day, which encourages students to break down social barriers by sitting  with someone new in the cafeteria for just one day.

The event organizers at each school followed up with additional activities that encouraged students to cross social boundaries and be more inclusive and understanding throughout the school year. The schools are featured on the Teaching Tolerance website as examples to help other schools plan similar barrier-busting activities.

“We commend these schools for finding innovative ways to create environments where respect and inclusiveness are core values,” said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. “Though these schools vary in size and demographics, they all serve as great examples of how a school – any school – can cultivate these values among their students, faculty and staff.”

As part of their Mix It Up efforts, each Model School included various individuals and groups from the school community in the planning and implementation of the event, took a multimedia approach to publicity and reported that students enjoyed the day.

The 2015 Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held on Oct. 27. Teaching Tolerance offers an array of free online resources to help school groups and teachers explore the issue of social divisions and plan their event. Each school sets its own agenda and chooses its own theme.

Schools can register for the 2015 Mix It Up event now at www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/add.

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