National Civil Rights Group Recognizes Seneca Valley Middle School for Tolerance Efforts

The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program—a nonprofit civil rights organization that combats bigotry and discrimination—has named l a “Mix It Up Model School.”

The organization honored the school because of and throughout the campus during the 2011-12 school year, a statement from Seneca Valley said.

The middle school is one of 77 schools from across the country to receive the honor.

In October, the teens for lunch. They were assigned temporary tables for the meal by drawing random numbers out of a box. Each table also was stocked with discussion questions that the students can ask each other in hopes of getting the conversation going.

"We are delighted to recognize each of these schools," said Maureen Costello, director for Teaching Tolerance.

"Mix It Up Model Schools have found innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are core values," she said. "They serve as examples for other schools hoping to instill these values in their students, faculty and staff."

The 2012 National Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held Oct. 30. A list of the model schools can be found by clicking here. 

For more than a decade, has provided students across the country with an opportunity to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. It's a simple act with profound implications as studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice, a statement from Seneca Valley said.

Many schools plan activities for the entire day, and some use the event to kick off a yearlong exploration of social divisions. Last year, 5,500 schools took part in the event, including Seneca Valley.

The Mix It Up Model Schools met five criteria: Each hosted a Mix it Up at Lunch Day in 2011; 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.

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