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Weston middle-schoolers lead identity-focused 'No Place for Hate' activity; staff plan follow-ups
Summary
Students and staff told the curriculum subcommittee the initiative’s first activity used mixed-grade groups and an ADL 'identity iceberg' to prompt conversations about identity; surveys showed students value kindness, inclusion and concrete schoolwide steps, and the team is planning Activity 2 for February.
Weston Public Schools presented an update to the curriculum subcommittee on Jan. 7 about the No Place for Hate initiative at the middle school, describing the first activity as a student-led identity exercise that staff and students will build on in February.
Jason Bluestein and student presenters described how an extended connect advisory period on Nov. 19 used mixed-grade groups and an ADL “identity iceberg” worksheet to prompt students to consider visible and less-visible aspects of identity. Eighth-grader Leo explained the mixed-grade groups gave students “the perspective of other kids,” and Abby Delaney described how teachers used an ADL slideshow and guided questions to surface classmates’ takeaways.
Sharra Kolodny, a sixth-grade teacher, reported post-activity surveys showing students overwhelmingly prioritized being kind, respectful and more inclusive. She said many students suggested concrete next steps — mixed-grade events, identity learning, posters, assemblies, clubs and safer ways to share personal identity — and staff requested more planning time and icebreaker work to help students feel prepared for vulnerable conversation.
Committee members praised student involvement and urged that the initiative be reinforced across grades. Bluestein said two teams — a steering committee and an activity-2 planning committee composed in part of interested students — will plan the next activity in February.
The presentation emphasized student leadership and iterative planning; no formal subcommittee vote was recorded on Jan. 7.
