not in our school
Multimedia in the Classroom: Student Video Diaries and Publication from the Building Bridges Project
"Immigrants have been under attack in recent years, mainly due to lack of awareness and stereotypes about who immigrants are and why they come here. It is our hope that these stories will help to end these negative attacks and build a bridge between my students and those who haven‘t had the pleasure of knowing them.
It is also our hope that through their stories, we will help to educate the world about the rich and wonderful people my students and their ancestors are, the extraordinary experiences they have had, the goals and dreams they have for their lives here, and the enormous value they add to this country."
—Julie Mann, Newcomers High School Human Rights teacher
"One of the reasons why I like NIOS Week is that it reminds staff and students that it’s OK to actively participate in what’s going on around you, and that you should be supported for standing up against something that isn’t right."
This week Gunn High School in Palo Alto, Calif. held its annual Not In Our School Week. Kristy Blackburn, English teacher and Not In Our School program coordinator, reflects on the first day of Gunn’s 2011 NIOS Week.
Our original Not In Our Town film sparked a movement. Citizens across the United States came together to stop hate in their respective towns. And college students were no exception.
Michigan State University, University of South Alabama, Knox College (Illinois), University of Akron (Ohio), University of Utah, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Cornell University, Ithaca College, University of Wisconsin, and John Carroll University (Ohio) were among those who created groups, hosted screenings and workshops, and held rallies. Many other college students—from Bloomington, Ind. to Modesto, Calif.—joined community organizations in the fight against hate.
On this page you'll find a small sampling of some of these student-created programs that may be useful on your campus. Join others across the country that are saying Not In Our Hall, Not In Our House, Not On Our Campus.
CA: In January and February, the Westboro Baptist Church, a hate group from Topeka, Kansas, targeted schools, religious institutions and other organizations across California.
We'd like to share a few of the creative, peaceful ways students and community members are responding to Westboro's message of hate, and open our comments section up to spread the word about any other unity activities taking place across the state.
In Cleveland, Ohio, Not In Our Town partner Facing History is unveiling an exciting new exhibit: Choosing To Participate, “a multifaceted educational and civic initiative that challenges us to think deeply about what democracy means and what it asks of each of us.” Consisting of a travelling multimedia exhibit, public events, and a website that allows users to participate in the exhibit and access online resources, Choosing To Participate is a truly innovative and essential new initiative.
South San Francisco, CA: Teachers 4 Soclal Justice met here last Sunday.
After a Not In Our Town screening, Jan Speller, who teaches English at El Camino High School, told us how she responds when her students say, "That's so gay."
What do you say?
Fall is here, and students, teachers, and parents are marking the start of another school year. As the first months of school unfold, it’s a great time to engage young people in setting a tone of acceptance, inclusion, and safety on campus.
Not In Our School videos highlight real students across the country who are role models and “upstanders” against bullying and intolerance. NIOS videos show what can be possible when students and teachers work together to transform their campus. We’ve seen the films inspire young people to start their own campus-based NIOS activities and events.
The videos listed below are part of Palo Alto Unified School District’s annual “Not In Our School Month” campaign which encourages students to talk about and take action against hate. Although many of our resources are geared towards middle and high school students, some activities can also be tailored to elementary school students.
Here are a few ways educators and students are putting Not In Our School resources into action on their campuses.
The Not In Our School posters and flyers below are part of Palo Alto Unified School District's ongoing "Not In Our School" campaign. Middle and high schools across the district each dedicate a full week of events to promote acceptance and diversity, with daily activities focusing on students as “upstanders” — those who do not simply stand by in the face of injustice, but act to make change.
Now entering its fourth year, Palo Alto's Not In Our School campaign has become a model for how schools can engage students in learning, conversation, and action against hate, bigotry, and bullying.
For tips on coordinating your own Not In Our School campaign, read "Starting an NIOS Campaign" by Becki Cohn-Vargas of Palo Alto Unified School District.