Excitement and kindness were exhibited across the Ladue School District as all eight schools (PreK-12) participated in the district’s No Place for Hate (NPFH) Pledge Day on Oct. 24.  

“It was exciting to see how our schools participated in our districtwide NPFH Pledge Day,” said Dr. Jennifer Riesenmy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator. “Students experienced learning which ranged from seminars at the high school to core class activities at the middle school to entire school assemblies at the elementary schools that included discussions about the power of words that both uplift and harm, the importance of addressing each other in positive ways, and ways to combat name-calling and identity-based insults if they do occur.” 

The NPFH framework is flexible and allows schools to structure the initiative in developmentally appropriate ways. Each school embraced autonomy by devising grade-appropriate lessons and creating unique ways to cite the pledge and display its long-term commitment to the No Place for Hate initiative. 

Spoede Elementary students colored, signed, and displayed turtles; Conway Elementary students created paper chain-linked hearts with student signatures; Old Bonhomme Elementary students performed a “Just Be Kind” musical flash mob, and Ladue Middle School students united to spell out LMS for a drone photo.

Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson, Ladue School District’s Director of Student Services, and Dr. Riesenmy have been at the forefront of the initiative, working tirelessly with the District Diversity Committee, Character Education, and representatives from each school, coordinating activities and championing student leadership groups.

“The student leadership element was essential,” explains Dr. Taylor-Johnson. “It is one of the components that initially drew us to No Place for Hate. Aside from the huge tie-in to our district’s strategic plan goal of empowering our students to be change agents while recognizing and respecting all cultures, we know how important it is for students to have a voice and to feel seen and heard. Students know what is going to be most impactful for their age group. We need to listen and trust them. They can do it; our students are amazing! It felt great seeing students taking ownership, being reflective and creative, and speaking to one another about the importance of inclusion and how to hold each other accountable.”

Student leaders/ambassadors are in place at Ladue Early Childhood up to Ladue Horton Watkins High School. This component provides opportunities for students to participate in leadership activities/groups that promote building authentic relationships.

“Ladue Schools is thrilled to launch the No Place for Hate initiative to encourage students to continue thriving academically and be empathic, compassionate, and kind individuals at school and at play, equipping them for when they graduate and become contributing members of society,” Taylor-Johnson concluded.

Check out photos from around the district on our Facebook page.