Louisiana is known to many as “The Melting Pot” of the United States because we are home to many different backgrounds and cultures.

CREATE SAFE AND INCLUSIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Acknowledge that discrimination exist and include all protected characteristics in anti- bullying policies.

CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES
Build understanding of differences in students, parents, and staff. Incorporate differences in daily learning. Acknowledge that differences exist, don’t ignore it.

USE LANGUAGE OF DIVERSITY
Be comfortable talking about differences. Students often mimic behaviors of the adults around them. Challenge any offensive or discriminatory language.

BE INCLUSIVE
Review school policies and practices to ensure they support inclusive learning environments.

EMPOWER STUDENTS AND STAFF
Make sure staff feels comfortable addressing any discrimination they see. Make sure students know and understand their rights.
(Equality and Human Rights Commission and Anti-Bullying Alliance, n.d.)

Set the Standard in Your Classroom

• Introduce books and learning materials that highlight and embrace differences.
• Celebrate different cultural months/days with fun projects.
• Ensure that students and staff learn proper pronunciation of student names.
• Promote inclusion within your school.
• Use preferred names and pronouns of students. Encourage other students to do the same.
• Be mindful of religious/cultural holidays and how this impacts student learning. Some of these holidays include periods of fasting and students being up later on school nights.
• Check your own unconscious biases. Educate yourself on unconscious bias and make efforts to correct yourself when you notice your own.

When Discriminatory Bullying Occurs

• Make sure your school’s reporting system is accessible for all students including ELL learners and those with disabilities.
• Take every report seriously and follow proper investigative policies.
• Never tell a student to ignore bullying or change who they are. The student bullying should be expected to change their behavior.
• Avoid stereotypes and check your unconscious bias when a student reports bullying. Take time to accurately investigate and address all students involved. Often times bullying isn’t one-on-one, it usually includes multiple students.
• Know when to utilize outside resources and supports to address specific needs of victims especially those who are coming to terms with gender identify and sexual preferences.
• Tackle discriminatory bullying in an informed way. It is not expected of you to know everything, but it is important that you educate yourself when needed.

(Equality and Human Rights Commission and Anti-Bullying Alliance, n.d.)