A cornerstone of a Gesu education includes character formation, which is intertwined daily with spiritual growth and academics. “We want our children to understand treating others with respect and valuing differences,” states Gesu School President and CEO, Bryan Carter.

During the 2014-15 school year, Gesu students participated in a myriad of opportunities to develop respect for themselves and others, empathy, and leadership.

Gesu has been recognized for creating an environment that fosters acceptance and celebrates diversity. For the second consecutive year, Gesu earned the designation as a “No Place for Hate” school by the Anti-Defamation League for its school-wide programs to prevent bullying and promote respect for all. In 2013-14, students participated in Unity Day during Bullying Prevention Month, a “Putting the Pieces Together” activity during Autism Awareness Month, and the ADL’s Walk Against Hate.

Students in grades Pre-K through 8 enthusiastically participated in new initiatives throughout 2014-15 and hope to once again earn this designation. For National Adoption Day, students wrote letters and created artwork to express their appreciation for an adoptive parent or kinship parent. Bryan Carter also addressed the school about his former work at The Cradle adoption agency and his experience as an adoptive parent.

Students across grades participated in a “No Place for Hate” logo contest to creatively represent Gesu’s commitment to appreciating differences. The winning design will adorn t-shirts that students will receive at a ceremony next fall. Once again in May, students, faculty/staff, and Gesu families and friends joined together on the Gesu team, and with the Philadelphia community, for the ADL’s 2015 Walk Against Hate.

Says Troy Sams, Assistant Dean of Students, “Gesu's ‘No Place for Hate’ designation is important to Gesu as a way to remind students that we are all children of God no matter race, gender, economic status, or family background. We all are a reflection of God's love.”

Winners of the Gesu School “No Place for Hate” logo contest with Assistant Dean of Students, Troy Sams