History

The Operation Respect/Welcoming Schools (OR/WS) Project in Clark County School District (CCSD) was initiated in the 2011-2012 school year.  This project is a collaborative effort between the Human Rights Campaign Foundation: Welcoming Schools Project, which is a comprehensive program with LGBT-inclusive resources; Operation Respect, a non-profit established by Peter Yarrow of the iconic folk group, Peter, Paul, and Mary, which focuses on Social-Emotional Learning and Character Education; the CCSD Equity and Diversity Education (EDE) Department; and The Public Education Foundation (PEF). The project has grown in number from eleven K-12 schools in 2011-2012 to 39 in 2014-2015 (25 of these 39 schools are currently in their 2nd year of a 3-year implementation cycle).

Project goals are to reduce bullying and to create and maintain a school climate that respects and welcomesall students and families.

There are six (6) aspects of implementation at the sites.

• Establishing School Leadership Teams    

• Providing Professional Development

• Family Engagement

• Providing School-wide, Classroom, and Extra-curricular Activities

• Implementing School-wide Policies

• Ensuring that Informal/Hidden Curriculum Sends Appropriate Messages

Why?  

All students deserve to feel that their school is a place where they can feel safe and secure and where they and their families are accepted and valued. Harmful stereotypes and prejudices must be dispelled to promote a climate that infuses a sense of belonging for all, encourages kindness and empathy, fosters respect, and honors diversity.