Three Baldwin UFSD Schools Designated “No Place for Hate” School

Baldwin High School, Baldwin Middle School, as well as Plaza Elementary School have been officially designated a No Place for Hate® School from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for its commitment to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. This is the third time Baldwin High School has attained this status and the first for Baldwin Middle School and Plaza Elementary School. Both the high school and middle school also received the added designation of “Gold Star” status for completing an additional required activity. 

No Place for Hate® is designed to create inclusive school communities by promoting unity and respect, and empowering schools to reduce bullying, name-calling and other expressions of bias. In compliance with the New York State Dignity Act, the No Place for Hate® initiative offers schools the opportunity to be recognized for their staff development and student training related to bullying, harassment and discrimination. Schools that fulfill all requirements created by the Anti-Defamation League receive recognition and a personalized No Place for Hate® banner at the end of the school year and join the growing list of other participating schools across New York and New Jersey.  

To achieve the No Place for Hate® school designation, several criteria must be met. First, a needs assessment must be conducted to understand the school's specific requirements. Next, a No Place for Hate committee must be formed to oversee the program's implementation. Additionally, signing the Resolution of Respect is a crucial step to demonstrate commitment. The school must also design and implement three school-wide activities focused on anti-bias or bullying prevention. To earn the “Gold Star” designation, the school must complete at least four activities instead of the required three.

Each school expressed their immense pride in becoming a “No Place for Hate” school.

Dr. Neil Testa, principal of Baldwin High School, remarked, “For three straight years, Baldwin High School has earned the designation as a ‘No Place For Hate’ school. We are proud of this recognition because it provides us with a new goal to complete each year through student-led activities focused on bringing students together across diverse backgrounds and interests. Our students rise to the occasion to plan and carry out activities that truly live up to our motto of innovation, involvement, and inclusivity.” 

"Baldwin Middle School’s recognition as a No Place for Hate school stands as a powerful affirmation of our unwavering commitment to cultivating a culture rooted in Care, Kindness, and Respect,” said Dr. Erica Taylor, Baldwin Middle School principal. “It is a testament to the fact that our vision is not just a goal, but a lived reality, reflected in the actions and daily experiences of our students and staff. We are not fully where we want to be, but we are better than we used to be!!!"

“No Place for Hate has allowed us to dig deeper into our work around inclusivity and anti-bullying,” added Jeanette Rottkamp, assistant principal of Plaza Elementary School who helped lead the initiative. “It was important that our students led this work and had the opportunity to be change makers. Through our NPFH activities, students identified problems, came up with solutions, and became the change they wanted to see in our school. Even further, our activities involved the entire school community, including parents and families, and laid the groundwork for the next school year. We are excited to continue this work next year as we build our legacy!”