Today my daughter’s school is taking part in Mix it Up at Lunch Day, “to build on the momentum of change created by the election of Barack Obama as the first black president of the United States, and to show our commitment to providing an inclusive learning environment for all students.”
“Mix It Up at Lunch Day” is the flagship event of Mix it Up, a nationwide project that encourages K-12 students to identify, question and cross social boundaries within their schools and communities. “This year, the day has a special significance,” says Mix It Up Director, Samantha Elliott Briggs, “because students across America, inspired by the presidential election’s result, are excited about doing their part to tear down the walls that divide us.”
10,000 schools are expected to participate this year. To know that millions of students across the U.S. are reaching out to others and looking for ways to be more inclusive is not only awe-inspiring, but downright amazing! The beauty and power of “Mix It Up at Lunch Day” is that it highlights the importance of inclusive learning environments with a very simple call to action. A call to action that reminds students of the riches to be gained from stepping out of their comfort zones and reaching out to someone outside their usual social sphere— a simple action that has the potential to build bridges, foster understanding and form friendships that wouldn’t be built, fostered or formed otherwise.
Participating students are encouraged to share stories about their experiences with “Mix It Up Day” and to read the stories of others
‘. And for those interested in submitting essays for a chance to be published, here’s a list of themes.Great things happen when we mix. Please share your story so we can all learn from it!