To: School Boards and Superintendents nationwide

Tell School Boards and Superintendents: Let's end hatred and discrimination in the classroom

All children deserve to feel like they belong, regardless of their ethnicity or culture, their faith or nationality, their gender identity or sexual orientation. Schools should be a safe haven for students to be accepted and included so that they can learn and grow. It's time for school leaders to take charge. Join our call: It’s time to change the culture of our schools and usher in a day where "inclusion is the new cool in school!"

Why is this important?

Fear is being recklessly stirred up among children across America in this tough election year. Our children are listening to the toxic and hateful rhetoric used by adults.

The negativity spills over onto the playground and into the lunchroom. In too many cases, the language that adults use causes young people to worry and fear for their futures, especially children of minority ethnic and faith backgrounds.

We can put an end to it by building a movement to welcome diversity.

Not one more Latino child will hear, "Build the wall!" chanted at them at their basketball game.

Not one more gender-nonconforming student will fear going to the bathroom.

Not one more Muslim child will be tormented or taunted while walking to school.

It starts with our school leaders – school boards and superintendents – across America taking charge and giving children the opportunity to be kind and inclusive.

Programs like Know Your Classmates and No One Eats Alone teach students to challenge their own assumptions, find common ground, and learn empathy and tolerance. And before long, student leaders take charge and teach each other to make school more inclusive.

Let’s build a movement in our schools!