As part of Glen Rock Public Schools’ ongoing commitment to fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and belonging, student leaders from Glen Rock High School partnered with advisors from the No Place for Hate program and Jewish Student Union to deliver a presentation for Central Elementary School's fifth-grade students on hate symbols and their impact.
The presentation was a collaborative effort between the No Place for Hate (NPFH) program and the Jewish Student Union (JSU) at Glen Rock Middle & High School. Both the middle school and high school have earned designation as No Place for Hate schools and have implemented a variety of programs and activities over the years designed to promote acceptance and empathy among students.
Recognizing an opportunity to reinforce lessons about inclusion and respect with young learners after a recent incident at Central School, advisors from No Place for Hate and the Jewish Student Union partnered to develop an age-appropriate presentation for Central’s fifth-grade classes. On Monday, June 15, high school students and staff members visited each classroom to facilitate discussions using elementary-level resources provided by No Place for Hate.
The lesson focused on understanding hate symbols and the harmful messages they are intended to convey. Students learned some symbols have historically been used to hurt, intimidate, and exclude others, while also discussing the importance of responding to all forms of hate with courage and dignity.
The presentations were led by Jewish Student Union officers, Uri Bashan ’26 and Shira Shav ’26, who shared their knowledge and perspectives while engaging students in thoughtful conversations about empathy and belonging. In addition to hearing the high school students speak, each fifth-grade classroom received a No Place for Hate poster outlining actions students can take if they encounter antisemitism or any other form of hate.
“This program reflects the strength of the No Place for Hate initiatives we have developed at the middle and high school levels,” said Acting Superintendent of Schools, Mr. Gregory Van Nest. “When opportunities arise to reinforce our District’s values of inclusion and respect, we are fortunate to have dedicated staff members and student leaders who can help educate others and address important issues in meaningful, age-appropriate ways.”
By bringing these lessons to elementary students, the Glen Rock Public Schools District continues to build a foundation of inclusion and civic responsibility that extends across all grade levels. District leaders hope to continue exploring opportunities to bring similar peer-led programming to students across additional grade levels in the future.