Clubs in DFMS are unique experiences that open doors for new friendships and new values. Some lessons learned in these clubs will be used all throughout your life. They teach you how to work together, think differently, make strategic moves, play (“Dungeons and Dragons”) and most of all, teach you how to become a better you. One of these clubs dedicated to this concept is No Place For Hate.
The No Place For Hate club meets every other Wednesday and is supervised by our very own counselor, Mr. Jaros. The aim of this club is to spread positive messages and make life better at DFMS. Even if you didn’t know about this club, you have definitely seen its impact. If you have seen the paper snowflakes across the school then you know about the workings.
Recently they volunteered at a nursing home and spread holiday cheer through caroling. They also set up fundraisers to help the homeless and others in need. If you bought a bracelet from the seventh graders who were selling them, you just helped a person in need. Every dollar counts, every dollar helps someone.
But the most important part of any club is its members; after all, a machine can’t run without its gears! When asked what they love and what is important about the club, Kennedy Collins, a member of the club responded, “What I love most about No Place for Hate is the variety of things we do whether it’s making affirmation snowflakes to hang up around the school or playing bingo with the senior citizens.” Another member, Abel Baird, stated his stance on the importance of the club saying, “No Place For Hate is a safe place where we can aspire to help others through acts of kindness.” Spoken like true advocates for justice and acceptance! All members of the club have a strong moral compass and a good heart. Everyone should have attitudes like those.
One of the main pillars that No Place For Hate lives by is the importance of diversity. Not just of race or religion but of personality and aspirations. Whether you want to be an actor or actress, a singer or a businessman, whether you’re an introvert or extrovert, whether you are a theater talent or a sports star. no matter what you have a place in this school, that is what No Place for Hate fights for.
But the club needs its guiding light. This comes in the form of Mr. Jaros, the 8th grade supervisor. “Dobbs Ferry Middle School is a No Place For Hate School. This is very important to me as a School Counselor, so that students feel that school is a safe place for them to be themselves without the fear of being judged, made fun of, or even worse – being bullied for who they are. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I know first hand what it feels like to be judged for who I am. I do not want future generations to have to go through that. Here at Dobbs Ferry, the school counselors work with the No Place For Hate Clubs to make the school community welcoming. The 6th graders are doing personal messages to their classmates by writing notes and placing them in their lockers. All three grades have done community service including the 6th and 8th graders Holiday Caroling at Mother Cabrini Nursing Home.”
As you can see, the goal of this club is much bigger than any of us, bigger than any one person. It is a movement. When people come together to fight for a cause they think is right, they make much more noise than any one person.