LADUE, Mo. — It's more than a place of learning, it's a place of love. The Ladue School District is implementing a new initiative teaching every student to care for one another.
Tiffany Taylor-Johnson, the district's director of student services, and Jennifer Riesenmy, the district's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, are helping implementation along with several school leaders like principals and teachers.
"We were looking for a way that we could bring a sense of belonging and ensuring that all of the students, staff and families feel like they belong to our Ladue school community," Taylor-Johnson said.
It's a testament to caring, compassion, and consideration for others.
This week, every Ladue student took a pledge to help create a kinder school community.
It's called the 'No Place for Hate' Initiative organized by the Anti-Defamation League.
It's a promise to treat everyone fairly, speak out if they see discrimination or bullying, and promote individual dignity.
School leaders believe this oath of humanity is crucial after seeing the effects of the pandemic.
"Our desire for all students and families and staff to have, have a voice in the community," Riesenmy said.
Over the last month Ladue students have participated in sensitive language lessons teaching them the power of words and this week every student took a pledge after having an assembly on the matter.
Now each school is tasked with organizing student leadership groups to lead the charge.
"We didn't realize how involved and active our young leaders could be and they've shown us their ambassadors at their early childhood center. We also have age appropriate leadership groups at the elementary level, middle school and high school," Taylor-Johnson said.
"[We] really take the time to think about social, emotional well-being to really think about how do we equip students for difficult conversations?," Riesenmy said.
The Ladue School District said it is collaborating with the Affton School District to implement the initiative there.