Easton Hosts 5th Annual SAVE/No Place for Hate Challenge Day Program this Friday

WHAT:  In conjunction with its 100 year celebration, Warren Easton Charter High School is hosting its 5th Annual SAVE Week, a unique educational awareness event focusing on effective ways to prevent and reduce youth violence and bullying.   Warren Easton Charter High School and its Student Council will join the Student Council members of four Orleans Parish public schools for this year’s SAVE/No Place for Hate Challenge Day Program this Friday.
 
WHEN:  Friday, December 6, 8am-2:30pm
*Please call Coach Steve Costa at (504) 239-1931 or (504) 324-7417 or Warren Easton (504) 324-7400x9 if you would like to attend.
 
WHERE:  Warren Easton Charter High School, 3019 Canal Street, N.O., LA 70119  (In the Auditorium)
 
WHY:  As part of Easton's SAVE week, Easton is uniting several high schools in their efforts to address bullying by hosting an in-school violence prevention conference on the campaign’s “Challenge Day”.  Roundtable discussions among students will devise strategies and action plans to reduce youth violence and bullying throughout the year.

Challenge Day is a transformational day of fun, leadership and empowerment that can change the way people view one another by providing tools to students to help stop the teasing, violence and alienation that can be  a part of the school experience for many young people every day.  Challenge Day will have games, trust-building activities, presentations, motivational speakers and more. There will also be a focus on teen pregnancy prevention and HIV/AIDS Awareness via the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies.
 
Challenge Day was started by Warren Easton’s alumnus Bernell Elzey in 2009 during his sophomore year, and it was so successful, Easton began inviting other schools to attend.  This year’s attendees include Lusher High School, McMain High School,  St. Augustine and International High School.  Past participants include Sophie B. Wright, O Perry Walker, Edna Karr, Mc D 35, and Xavier Prep.  The program has allowed Warren Easton Charter High School to be nationally recognized as the only SAVE School in Louisiana and a No Place for Hate School.
 
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, about 160,000 kids won’t go to school today for fear of being bullied.
 
About SAVE:
SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere) is a student-initiated program that promotes nonviolence within schools and communities. SAVE provides education about the effects and consequences of violence and helps provide safe activities for students, parents and communities.
 
About No Place for Hate:
No Place for Hate® is an exciting nation-wide campaign sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League. Standing up to bullies and against bigotry is never easy – particularly for young people. ADL's No Place for Hate® initiative empowers the whole school community – teachers and students, administrators and parents – to tackle prejudice, bullying and intergroup conflict.

CONTACT:
Ms. Rozetta Millner, rmillner@opsb.us  or Mr. Steven Costa, scosta@opsb.us (504) 324-7400
Bernell Elzey, 5th Annual SAVE/No Place for Hate Challenge Day Coordinator, bernell.elzey@gmail.com or 504-715-0634
Heather Harper, Eastbank Collaborative of Charter Schools, hharper@h2nola.com or (504) 289-0499