They arrived in a big college bus wearing their numbers, but members of Siena College’s lacrosse team didn’t come to Schoharie Elementary to play or practice on Dec. 12. They did coach, however.
The lacrosse team came to teach elementary students about how to make their school No Place for Hate.
A program of the Anti-Defamation League, No Place for Hate involves the whole school in combating bias and bullying as a means to stop the escalation of hate and to foster a school climate where all students can thrive.
The Siena lacrosse players read two books to the children, “Better Than You” and “Stand Tall.” They then led discussions about each story, including how negative behavior and language can affect others and better ways to act and react.
The Siena and Schoharie students also worked together on drawing and writing about what they learned.
Last month, students learned how to persevere during difficult situations through a Handprints for Hope activity as part of the No Place for Hate effort. They focused on the book “No One Can Ever Steal Your Rainbow” at an assembly, then created handprints with positive messages to display in their school.
The No Place for Hate program aligns with Schoharie Elementary’s goal of being a positive place for learning for all students.