Fleetwood High School launched a No Place for Hate Program on the first day of school, Aug. 31.
“Last year we began a Positive Behavior Support Program to promote appropriate behavior in school. The No Place for Hate Program is being added this year to help students understand that individual differences make our school and community a better place,” said Superintendent Paul Eaken. “It helps students understand that different abilities, backgrounds, and viewpoints are important as we continue to grow in our school, community, etc. as we all communicate with one another in the global exchange of information and in our global economy.
“It also helps send a very clear message that disrespecting others, including due to the fact that they are different, will not be accepted or tolerated. The No Place for Hate Program provides school staff with ideas, consultation on activities that will promote our goal, and recognition for our efforts,” said Eaken.
Eaken said the district is doing this program in the high school and in the community in conjunction with the Tri Valley YMCA. As part of the launch, they invited community leaders to sign the Resolution of Respect. In addition to school district staff, the community leaders who attended and signed the resolution were Dr. Tammy Gore, Mayor Borough of Fleetwood; Daine Hollenbach, Maidencreek Township Manager; David Franke, Maidencreek Township Supervisor; Rev. Sara Hertzog, Pastor Blandon Union Church; Rev. John Folk, Youth Pastor St. Paul’s UCC; Robert Gore, Member Board of School Directors, Fleetwood Area School District; and Megan Dougherty, Manager Tri-Valley YMCA.
“This is part of our ongoing efforts to teach students to treat others with respect and prevent bullying and harassment. Each community leader signed the resolution to demonstrate our commitment to ‘do our best to combat prejudice and to stop those who violate the civil rights of others,'” said Eaken. “Each student was asked to sign the resolution during the course of the day as they participated in activities aimed at developing cooperation and understanding individual differences.”
The Resolution of Respect states, “We pledge, from this day forward, to do our best to combat prejudice and to stop those who violate the civil rights of others. We will seek to understand those who are different. We believe that one person can make a difference and that no person should stand by when it comes to opposing hate. We will speak out against prejudice and discrimination. We will reach out to those who are victims of hate. We know that we must all promote harmony, equality and respect. By signing this pledge, we commit ourselves to creating a community that is No Place for Hate.”
“The significance of this pledge is not only that the students take the pledge, but that also teachers, administrators, school board members, and members of the community are also taking the pledge and have been very supportive of the initiative,” said Fleetwood High School Principal Stephen Herman. “It was important to have community leaders signing the pledge so students can understand these issues are not just school-related issues, but they are indeed societal issues.”
“Our hope is that everyone involved begins to expand their perspective and have the desire to learn about issues with diversity… how people are different, why people are different, and accept those differences the way they would want others to be accepting of them,” said Herman.
Herman said that to this point the student response has been positive.
“Our process is just beginning, we have a long road ahead of us and many stops planned along the way to help us all learn,” he said. “Our overall the hope is to develop a climate of compassion and sincerity towards others.”
Herman shared one of his favorite quotes.
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny,” Mahatma Gandhi.
