Sporting bright orange T-shirts, hair ribbons, and socks, Gesu faculty and students joined with others across the country in observance of Unity Day on October 9^th as part of Anti-Bullying Month. The activity was the first of the year that will help Gesu maintain its newly earned recognition as a “No Place for Hate” school from the Anti-Defamation League. Gesu earned its designation last year by completing three activities that “celebrate diversity, promote respect for difference and/or address bias and bullying” and was honored at a school-wide ceremony in September.

“The recognition as a ‘No Place for Hate’ school is a reaffirmation of everything the teachers and staff are working towards and part of the reason parents send their students to Gesu – to give children a quality education without the fear that students will get teased or bullied,” says Associate Dean of Students Troy Sams, who spearheaded the effort. Student Council and the 7th grade’s anti-bullying service-learning project played a significant role in planning and executing last year’s activities. This year, Gesu looks for Student Council to take on even more leadership in planning activities to foster a caring, accepting environment in the school.

Lisa Friedman of the Anti-Defamation League (right) presents Gesu president Bryan Carter and Gesu's associate dean of students Troy Sams with the school's "No Place for Hate" banner.