Southern Poverty Law Center Recognizes Tolerance Efforts Of Schools

 MONTGOMERY -- The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program has named 52 schools from across the country as Mix It Up model schools for their exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among their students and throughout their campuses during the 2010-11 school year.

"We are delighted to have named so many schools as Mix It Up model schools," said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. "They've all found innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are core values. Each of these schools can serve as examples for other schools hoping to instill these values in their students, faculty and staff."

The 2011 National Mix It Up at Lunch Day – which marks the 10th anniversary of the program – will be held on Oct. 18. 

Mix It Up Day is a simple call to action. By asking students to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch, the event encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. Many schools plan activities for the entire day, and some use the event to kick off a yearlong exploration of social divisions. Last year, more than 3,300 schools took part.

The Mix It Up model schools met five criteria: They each hosted a Mix it Up at Lunch Day in 2010; they included different members of the school's community – cafeteria staff, aides, administrators, teachers or students – in organizing the event; they followed up with at least two additional Mix It Up-related programs or events on campus; they publicized Mix It Up at Lunch Day or celebrated inclusiveness with posters, announcements and other media; and their event was seen by students and school officials as a success.