Ali Bechtel , WFMZ.com Reporter
Posted: 11:07 PM EDT Oct 07, 2015
Muhlenberg School District Superintendent Joseph Macharola and the Committee of the Whole commended school principal, Dr. Ryan Giffing, and the students for their International Day of Peace celebrations at the committee’s meeting on Monday night.
The district is currently taking part in the ‘No Place for Hate’ program through the AntiDefamation League. The league’s goal is to prepare students for success in a world that is increasingly more diverse. The program combats intolerance, bullying and hatred and promotes social, ethical and academic development.
As part of its involvement in the program, the district must complete at least three activities or programs that celebrate diversity and promote respect.
Elementary art teacher Nicole Roche had her students create “pinwheels for peace,” with the idea that the pinwheels could be lined up along Kutztown Road on September 21 in recognition of the International Day of Peace.
Other teachers had the idea to take the project one step further, creating an activity to celebrate diversity and peace as part of the ‘No Place for Hate’ program.
“The idea really grew with the help of the teachers,” Dr. Giffing said.
Instead of planting the pinwheels along the highway, more than 550 students and teachers formed a peace sign on the lawn of the elementary school. In other district news, the Committee of the Whole is considering requesting a new study in cooperation with Muhlenberg Township to project future student enrollment. A similar study was conducted nearly ten years ago, and the district used the projections to determine whether growth would be required.
“We’re bursting at the seams but I don’t think we’re actually overflowing yet,” said committee member Mark Nelson, commenting that student enrollment is again up from last year.
Nelson suggested a review of the past study for accuracy before paying for new one.
The committee will review the past reports and make a decision at an upcoming meeting.
Source: Channel 69 WFMZ-TV
URL:
http://www.wfmz.com/news/news-regional-lehighvalley/muhlenberg-school-district-is-no-place-for-hate/35716098