WILLIAMSBURG-JAMES CITY COUNTY − Williamsburg James City County (WJCC) Schools earned the “No Place for Hate” designation at each of the division’s 16 schools for the 2023-24 school year from the Washington, D.C.-based Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

During the year-long effort, WJCC said each of its schools in the district followed the program’s fourphase approach, maximizing student engagement. Each school formed a diverse student committee, encouraged students to participate in the WJCC Unity Pledge, conducted a student Unity survey, and implemented student-led activities to support the program’s tenets.

For the first time, all 16 Williamsburg-James City County Schools joined approximately 1,800 other schools across the nation by earning “No Place for Hate” designations.

The UJCVP’s Community Relations Council worked with the WJCC district to bring the ADL’s “No Place for Hate” program to the district.

“During a time of rising antisemitism, we applaud the WJCC School District on making meaningful investments in building a culture free of hate,” shared UJCVP Executive Director Eric Maurer. “We know antisemitism does not happen in a vacuum. It lives hand-inhand with the virus of racism and hate that targets many marginalized groups. It takes a village to join together in saying loudly and clearly that there is no place for hate in Williamsburg or anywhere else.”

WJCC said its students led the way by designing and implementing three activities to positively influence school climate during the 2023-24 academic year. The program focused on creating sustainable change by fostering inclusivity and a sense of belonging. By empowering students to learn about and take a stand against discrimination and bullying, WJCC Schools said students gained knowledge of simple concepts like respect, appreciation for differences, and acceptance.

One example the school district cited as an activity students implemented was at Jamestown, Lafayette, and Warhill High Schools. All three schools hosted the national BMX “No Hate High School Tour,” an educational program that uses the energy and excitement of action sports to deliver bullying prevention tools, techniques, and information to students, staff, and school leaders.

The program features BMX stars performing high-energy action sports shows on campus while speaking to the students about their own experiences with bullying, overcoming obstacles, being an ally, kindness, problem-solving, mental health awareness, and other important subjects for teens.

“I am proud of WJCC Schools’ student leaders for their commitment to positively shaping our community. Programs like ‘No Place for Hate’ prepare our students to be respectful citizens with the courage to effect change,” said Olwen Herron, superintendent of Williamsburg-James City County Schools.