Dr. Henry E. Perrine Academy of the Arts (AOTA) Elementary School was recognized for the third year on Feb. 18 as a “No Place for Hate” school.
As an initiative of the Florida Regional Anti-Defamation League (ADL), No Place for Hate was created to organize schools to work together and develop projects that enhance the appreciation of diversity and foster harmony among diverse groups. The campaign empowers schools to promote respect for individual and group differences while challenging prejudice and bigotry.
Upon completion of at least three key practices, including the ADL Education Training Program of 35 students, Dr. Henry E. Perrine AOTA became the recipient of a No Place for Hate banner. The three practices, which focused on empowering self-esteem, included a school-wide curriculum about Bullying and Harassment, school-wide participation in No Name Calling Week, and a schoolwide daily devotion to character trait building. In addition, Dr. Henry E. Perrine AOTA provided all of its teachers and staff professional development workshops on bullying, cyber-bullying and Internet safety.
The Banner Reception was attended by Major Greg Truitt of the Palmetto Bay Police Department, ADL program educator Lillian Medina, Dr. Alma Dean (Perrine AOTA counselor), Miami-Dade County School Board Vice Chair Dr. Lawrence Feldman, Palmetto Bay Mayor Eugene Flinn, Principal Maileen Ferrer, PTA president Nadine McMillon, assistant principal Sonia Cruz, and South Region administrative director Lucy Iturrey. In addition to receiving the banner, participants enjoyed performances of skits, poems, stories and songs on the topic by a selection of second through fifth grade multi-talented Perrine AOTA students.
