The Scotch Plains Fanwood high school has recently adopted the national No Place for Hate movement run by the Anti Defamation League (ADL) that aims to create a safe school environment for students and faculty. The vandalism incident at the high school served as an impetus for the movement’s adoption.
 
“Different schools have various activities throughout the year to embrace the idea that everybody is welcome and that everybody should be comfortable in school,” said senior class president Michael Dieu.
 
The high school is aiming to host an event in February during student’s gym classes. The event will work on promoting ideas of inclusion and diversity in an engaging way. Along with this event, members of the No Place for Hate committee will be visiting classes to reinforce the ideas presented in the event.
 
After the events, students will be encouraged to sign a banner with a resolution of respect. The banner will be hung up to show that SPFHS is a No Place for Hate School.
 
It is important for students to get involved in the No Place for Hate movement and take it seriously.
 
“I think racism and bigotry are really sensitive topics that could be uncomfortable for many people,” said Dieu. “So, I think it is important to create an environment where people are comfortable, and where people want to come to school and be around peers and friends. I think that No Place for Hate is something to get involved in to make our school a better place.”