St. Thomas More School, Decatur, Georgia

by Ruth A. Matheny

In an environment where students learn to live the Gospel message in their daily lives, there is "no place for hate."

In an environment where students learn to live the Gospel message in their daily lives, there is “no place for hate.” Such is St. Thomas More School in Decatur, GA, now in the second year of a unique program that had its inspiration when faculty members attended a class called “Bearing Witness.” Sponsored by the Atlanta Archdiocese and the Anti-Defamation League, the event was received enthusiastically by St. Thomas More School, and a committee was set up to implement the No Place for Hate program the League sponsors for schools.

But, as Kathy Merritt, chair of the St. Thomas More NPFH program, says, “I think it is fair to say that we took NPFH and made it our own. It is an excellent fit for Catholic teaching on social justice and the value of each human life.” The NPFH program, with which the school remains affiliated, was designed to encourage tolerance for diversity and to eliminate bullying. In keeping with the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, it has become a comprehensive program of Christian brotherhood that infuses every day of the school year and every class at St. Thomas More.

This year NPFH comes wrapped in the Beatitudes. Each grade level has a Beatitude to study and practice in depth throughout the year. On the first Monday of the month, students read a reflection based on their assigned Beatitude as part of the morning all-school announcements. In The More News, students in the grade of that month’s assigned Beatitude write a pertinent column.

Monthly activities vary with the intent of the Beatitude. In November, they focused on the “sameness” of our great melting pot, while also using Book Week selections to illuminate different cultures. In January they are collecting stuffed animals and school supplies to be presented to the children in families of deployed troops. In March, remembering that “Blessed are those who mourn...,” they will make cards for the sick and shut-ins. And in May, as a blessing for those who have persevered all through school, they will enjoy a field day with games from around the world.

Has NPFH made a difference? Says parent Virginia James, “No Place for Hate is now a cornerstone of our home environment.” Keith Bagwell agrees that it has become commonplace with all of the family. Other parents speak of children’s new respect for all people and understanding that it is not right to make fun or criticize those who are different. And Bridget Riordan summarizes with the comment that the program “constantly reminds our children to practice the values they are learning through their Catholic faith.”
Teachers, too, are enthusiastic in their comments. Peggy Saunders, sixth-grade social studies teacher, points out that “NPFH has given us an umbrella to recognize so many issues regarding how hatred, bullying, and stereotyping begin and what each individual can and should do to step up to these challenges.”

Melody Summers, fourth-grade instructor, uses such strategies as “listening to each other’s ideas, contributing ideas to the group, criticizing ideas rather than people, encouraging each other, and learning to work together as a group.”

Second graders talk about how it feels to be left out and write paragraphs on ways to show kindness to all, notes teacher Heather Thompson. Eve Beyer, second-grade pupil, has learned not to judge people from the outside, but the inside.

Seventh grader Linde Penter speaks of thinking about others before self as a St. Thomas More philosophy, while eighth grader Anna Marie Bryant finds the school a place where “we strive to help others with their needs.”

Principal Terry Collis summarizes: “It is evident that the program is successful as it becomes part of the child’s problem-solving skills in many arenas, not just here at school.”

And Msgr. Paul Fogarty proudly speaks of “our school and staff who are committed to promoting the values of love and respect that Jesus taught and lived in his own life and invited his followers to do the same.”

Our thanks to Kathy Merritt, kindergarten teacher and primary department coordinator, who facilitated this tribute.

Source: Today's Catholic Teacher, January/February 2009

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