Vista PEAK to be Designated as No Place for Hate®

NEWS RELEASE #60
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    
April 17, 2012

 

Vista PEAK to be Designation as No Place for Hate^{®
School affirms commitment to promoting respect for diversity and continuing anti-bias efforts} 

In a school-wide ceremony at 9:30 am on April 18, the students and faculty at the Vista PEAK P-20 campus will celebrate the school’s designation as a No Place for Hate® School, having completed a year of anti-bias and anti-bullying programs. The official designation banner will be presented at the ceremony.

To earn this distinction, Vista PEAK formed a No Place for Hate® coalition, adopted a resolution pledging to create a more inclusive school and implemented a number of projects promoting respect for differences. Projects completed this year include guest speakers who shared information about their culture.  These speakers represented Asian, Polynesian, Irish, African, Mexican and Italian heritages.  Students completed several activities around identity, culture, anti-bullying and civic responsibility.  As a result of this work, the school has also implemented an intercultural studies class for students who are interested in social justice.

This is the first year of Vista PEAK’s participation in this program.  This is the beginning of what is anticipated to be a spring filled with No Place for Hate® designations in Aurora Public Schools, following Vista PEAK administrative team’s endorsement of the program last fall. Vista PEAK is one of approximately 45 schools across Colorado and Wyoming participating in the No Place for Hate® program.

The Anti-Defamation League, in partnership with many organizations, created No Place for Hate^®. This groundbreaking program empowers communities, schools and college campuses to challenge intolerance, bullying, and indifference through action and education. Participating institutions make a public commitment to fostering respectful environments for all citizens. Upon completion of three new projects created to facilitate inter-group dialogue, inhibit tensions and promote harmony, a community, school or campuses is publicly designated No Place for Hate^®

 

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Interested media may contact APS News Media Specialist
Paula Hans at 303-326-2755 for more information