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Olive Elementary demonstrates 'Culture of Belonging' lessons after racially charged incidents
Summary
Olive Elementary principal Laurie Hera told the Novato Unified board the site launched a 10-part Culture of Belonging curriculum after racially charged language appeared among students; students and a parent demonstrated the lessons and described take-home resources and accountability forms.
Laurie Hera, principal of Olive Elementary School, told the Novato Unified School District board that a recent uptick in racially charged language at the site prompted a schoolwide response: a 10-part Culture of Belonging lesson sequence intended to foster kindness, identity awareness and belonging.
Hera introduced a student demonstration (the "snow globe" activity) and described how the lessons ask students to reflect on aspects of their identity. "This was the 1st activity that I did... I get a little emotional, just because this is something that is very important to me," Hera said as she described the work to trustees. A parent, Lena, said the take-home information and required acknowledgement form helped families reinforce the lessons at home after reports of racially charged comments came into the household.
District staff and trustees thanked Olive staff for taking immediate, site-level action. Hera said the school also reviewed the district hate-speech policy with students and sent explanatory materials home so families could discuss the difference between unkind words and hate speech and sign an acknowledgement.
Trustees asked clarifying questions and offered support; no formal action was required. The presentation underscores the district's local efforts to address identity-based conflict and to use classroom lessons and family engagement to reduce incidents.
