New Resources to Create a Positive School Climate
Start the new school year on a affirmative note by focusing on building an affirmative school climate. To help you, Teaching Tolerance has two new resources. Speak Up at School shows students and educators alike that it's possible to reduce biased language in school. Responding to Hate and Bias gives school leaders the tools to address bias incidents and guides them through crisis management and post-crisis efforts at improvement.

It's Time to Get on the Map
National Mix it Up at Lunch Day is Oct. 30. Now is a great time to get organized. First, put your school on the map. Next, use Mix it Up activities to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations. Help students meet someone new, start a conversation and break down social boundaries. Need some ideas to make it fun? Read how the 77 Model Schools have approached the event.

Keeping the Power in Ava's Words
When an eighth-grader decided to write a fictional story about the struggles of an LGBT student, she became the target of harassment and bullying. Blogger Ann Van Etten writes about her student Ava's powerful words and her courage to speak on behalf of the marginalized.

Recognize Size Bias During Obesity Awareness Month
Health officials have declared childhood obesity an epidemic. An estimated 23 million children and teens are obese or overweight. September is National Childhood Obesity Awareness month, created to bring attention to potential risks of poor diet and inactivity. We must also remember that size is not the only indicator of health. And whatever their size, all children must be supported.

This Week's Poll: Has Your School Created a Safe Environment?
Bias incidents and hate crimes can happen at school. But are you prepared to handle them effectively? This week's poll explores how the TT community manages these situations. Take the poll and tell us how your school creates a safe, welcoming environment.

Last Week's Poll: How Do You Speak Up against Bias at School?
Last week we asked TT educators how they react when they hear comments in school that can hurt others. About 60 percent of participants said if a student made a statement they would immediately interrupt, ask what was meant and educate the student about the harm in the statement. However, when it came to colleagues making an offensive comment, 20 percent answered they would let it slide. Get the tools to know what to say here.

What's Ahead: New Teaching Tolerance Lessons
Plan ahead for the next four weeks:

• Sept. 4: Lesson 1: The Little Rock Battle for School Integration: The Personal is Political: Daisy Bates
• Sept. 10: Lesson 2: The Little Rock Battle for School Integration: Little Rock in Black and White
• Sept. 17: Lesson 3: The Little Rock Battle for School Integration: The Little Rock Nine
• Sept. 24: Lesson 4: The Little Rock Battle for School Integration: 50 Years Later

Don't Wait—Tell Your Colleagues about Us!
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