Longfellow GOTR!

The Longfellow Girls On The Run (GOTR) team completed their 5K this morning!

LONGFELLOW PRIDE

Watch this video to see yet another example of why being a LONGFELLOW LONGHORN is so amazing!

Eli's Video

GO LONGHORNS!

National Civil Rights Group Recognizes LONGFELLOW for Tolerance Efforts

Designated 'Mix It Up' Model School by the Southern Poverty Law Center

            MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Southern Poverty Law Center's Teaching Tolerance program has named Longfellow Elementary School as a Mix It Up Model School for its exemplary efforts to foster respect and understanding among students and throughout campus during the 2011-12 school year.

            Longfellow Elementary School is one of 77 schools from across the country receiving the honor.

            "We are delighted to recognize each of these schools," said Teaching Tolerance Director Maureen Costello. "Mix It Up Model Schools have found innovative ways to create a school environment where respect and inclusiveness are core values. They serve as examples for other schools hoping to instill these values in their students, faculty and staff."

 The 2012 National Mix It Up at Lunch Day will be held on Oct. 30. A list of the model schools can be found at http://www.tolerance.org/mix-it-up/model-schools.

For more than a decade, Mix It Up Day has provided students across the country with an opportunity to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. It's a simple act with profound implications as studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice. Many schools plan activities for the entire day, and some use the event to kick off a yearlong exploration of social divisions. Last year, 5,500 schools took part in the event.

The Mix It Up Model Schools met five criteria: They each hosted a Mix it Up at Lunch Day in 2011; they included different members of the school's community – cafeteria staff, aides, administrators, teachers or students – in organizing the event; they followed up with at least two additional Mix It Up-related programs or events on campus; they publicized Mix It Up at Lunch Day or celebrated inclusiveness with posters, announcements and other media; and their event was seen by students and school officials as a success.

STRIVING FOR AN ACCEPTING SOCIETY

The Iowa City Community School District continues efforts to prevent bullying with the Steps to Respect Program:

Everyone at Longfellow Elementary School is committed to making our school a safe and caring place for all students. We will treat each other with respect, and demonstrate Longfellow PRIDE (Peace, Respect, Integrity, Dependability, and Excellence). We refuse to tolerate bullying in any form at our school.

Longfellow’s Definition of BULLYING: Bullying is unfair and one-sided.  Power is used in a hurtful way.  It happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.

Consequences for bulling: Our school is focused on showing Longfellow PRIDE. Students who engage in bullying behaviors are not following Longfellow PRIDE and their misbehavior may result in a referral to the principal. All bullying behaviors must be properly reported in order to provide students with support.  Our consequences for bullying are less about discipline and more about a learning experience.  Students who are involved in bullying situations may begin meeting weekly with a "steps to respect coach" in order to work on activities geared to build empathy and increase conflict resolution skills. 

The Steps to Respect Program suggests that the students have the ultimate power in preventing bullying and that students need to learn that they are the ones with the most power in preventing bullying.

CELEBRATING THE LOVE OF FRIENDSHIP...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2012!