Colonial launches multicultural initiatives

    Among the goals the Colonial Board of School Directors has approved for the 2005-06 school year is an aggressive multicultural awareness program entitled “Respect the Difference.”  The aim is to broaden diversity awareness and tolerance of the entire Colonial community.
    “This is a serious endeavor that will not be limited to this school year but will be an ongoing part of the Colonial School District culture,” said Dr. Pascal Scoles, the Chairman of the School Board’s Community Relations and Student Life Committee. “We don’t want people to think this is just ‘window dressing’ in light of the tennis courts vandalism of last spring. Our society is becoming more diverse every year and our young people and the community as a whole need to be sensitive to the change.”
   All Colonial schools have added programming to support the initiative. Plymouth Whitemarsh High School is participating in the “No Place for Hate” campaign. “No Place for Hate” is a program created by the Anti Defamation League that empowers participants to challenge anti-Semitism, racism, hate, and bigotry in all forms. PW has also created a Jewish Awareness Club and a Mid-East Awareness Club to complement the Black Cultural Awareness Club, Asian Awareness Club and Gay and Straight Alliance already in existence.
    Among other activities, the high school held assemblies on the Holocaust and is participating in various peer and staff training programs. Coordinating all of these efforts and more is PWHS teacher Tracey Pollick who has been appointed to the newly created stipend position of Cultural Diversity Faculty Director.
    “I am passionate about this project and hope my motivation is contagious to the staff, students, and community,” Pollick said “I am already in the process of organizing both a Student and Staff Diversity Awareness Committee.  Both the faculty and students will receive training by the Anti Defamation League’s World of Difference Institute.  As a result of our training, we will provide Cultural Diversity Awareness Educational materials and activities in the classroom, extra curricular activities, and community.” 
    Colonial Middle School will again hold “Challenge Day” for all seventh grade students. “Challenge Day” is a unique nationally recognized program that has helped change the lives of hundreds of thousands of teenagers since its inception in 1987. The program challenges students to personally help stop teasing, bullying and other negative behaviors that are such a large part of the school experience. Other grade level assemblies are planned, as well. Additionally, CMS plans to continue its “Random Acts of Kindness” program in which students are recognized for doing good deeds. The school will also encourage students to participate in signing a pledge to “Respect the Difference at CMS.” Students who participate will sign a banner and receive a bracelet signifying their promise.
    During the week of September 12, Colonial Elementary School students participated in team building activities that included multicultural sensitivity, respecting others and learning to advocate for themselves and students who may be victims of harassment or bullying.
    Each K-3 Elementary School will hold assemblies throughout the year, place “Respect the Difference” stickers on Friday folders, highlight books with a difference theme and more. Conshohocken Elementary School is initiating a “Student Who Cares” bulletin board to recognize students who exhibit respect and caring for all students. Whitemarsh Elementary School plans to develop multicultural activities for its annual Field Day. Ridge Park Elementary School will continue its “Character Counts” program and “International Food Festival.” Plymouth Elementary School will continue its “Plymouth Pride Partners” program and plans to invite parents to school to share their cultures and traditions.
    “Each of our schools are participating in age appropriate programs and activities,” said Colonial Superintendent Dr. Vincent F. Cotter. “On a district level we are conducting a thorough review of our current curriculum offerings and readings (literature) as well as our current counseling program. We expect to have this audit completed by the spring and will take appropriate action based on that analysis.”
    The Colonial School District has also established an anonymous telephone tip line activated to receive information on acts of vandalism and intolerant or disrespectful behavior within the district. Call 610-834-1670, ext. 2000 to leave a message.