Working Together to Create Safe, Accepting and Inclusive Schools
The Not in our Town (NIOT) movement is based on the premise that real change happens at a local level. Its starting point was NIOT films such as Waking in Oak Creek, featuring courageous people standing up to hate. Over the last 20 years, NIOT has become a national resource providing a roadmap for communities to take action.
Not in our School (NIOS) is one major branch of this movement and helps schools prevent or end bullying and intolerance. NIOS offers resources to elementary, middle and high schools which include films with accompanying lesson plans and activity guides, as well as student, parent and teacher trainings.
The materials inspire students to be upstanders and take the lead in changing their school cultures. NIOS has developed the Identity Safe and Inclusive School Program with GFF support, which schools across the country are using to transform their school culture from one where students may feel stigmatized by their identities to one where everyone feels acceptance and inclusion.
