Colonial Middle School students encouraged to be "Name Allies"

What’s in a name? Colonial Middle School students gave some thought to that recently during an all-school No Place for Hate activity in which they brainstormed about their own names and contributed to a school database that will help everyone know how to pronounce them correctly.

Members of the school’s No Place for Hate Club led the activity and started off with a brainstorming session, where students wrote their own names on pieces of paper and then jotted down other things about their name, such as whether or not they have a nickname, how they like to be introduced, how their name is pronounced, and the meaning or origin of their name. 

Students were also challenged to pronounce some celebrities’ names, and watched various videos to help them understand why it is important to say someone’s name right and to think about how they can be “name allies” for others in order to create a sense of belonging. 

They were also encouraged to add their own name to a “Name Allies” database, where they provide a phonetic spelling. Staff members will also add their names to this database. The goal is to eventually add sound bites as well so that people can also hear how names are pronounced.

Every school in Colonial School District participates in projects like this throughout the school year in order to maintain the No Place for Hate designation, which is awarded by the Anti-Defamation League. No Place for Hate activities are a key component of the District’s continuing work to promote equity, inclusion, and belonging.