Put Your School on The Map!

August 8, 2012Dear Friend of Teaching Tolerance, It's the start of a new school year. It arrives so quickly, doesn't it? And for concerned and committed educators like you, planning for a new year goes well beyond tests and lesson plans. You want to make a difference. You ask yourself: How can I help my students thrive this year? What can I do to help create an inclusive school climate that welcomes every student? How can I challenge my students, encourage them, help them grow? A great way to address these questions is to join the national Mix It Up at Lunch campaign. Mix It Up at Lunch Day is set for Oct. 30, just a few months away. This Teaching Tolerance initiative, designed to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations, asks students to break out of their normal social circles and connect with someone new over lunch. The first step is easy: Put yourself on the Mix It Up map. Decide today to take part in Mix It Up at Lunch Day this year by adding your school's name to our online national map. More than 3,000 schools were mapped last year, from North Dakota to New York City. Will you be on the map this year? We sure hope so. All it takes is a ZIP code search, then a few quick online questions. After that, we'll send you links to free online materials to help you plan and enjoy Mix It Up at Lunch Day on Oct. 30, plus ideas to extend the Mix It Up energy throughout the year. Thanks for making a difference in your students' lives–and here's to a great school year! Sincerely, Maureen B. Costello Director, Teaching Tolerance  Follow Teaching Tolerance on Twitter.  Become our fan on Facebook. We welcome your feedback. You can reach us online or by mail: Teaching Tolerance 400 Washington Ave. Montgomery, AL 36104