Schools

Novi Students 'Mix It Up' at Lunch

Novi students will eat with someone new Tuesday to cross cafeteria divides.

Students have identified the cafeteria as the place where divisions are most clearly drawn, according to surveys from Teaching Tolerance.

In an effort to break those divisions, schools across the country will participate in the national campaign "Mix It Up Day." On Tuesday, students at Novi Meadows Elementary School, Novi Middle School and other schools will move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch.

Studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice, according to Teaching Tolerance. 

Find out what's happening in Noviwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Novi Meadows' principals John Brickey and Lisa Fenchel explained in an email to parents what the day will look like for their students. Each lunch table will be assigned a character word — cooperation, respect, etc. — and each student will be assigned a word to determine their table.

"We will have discussion questions at the table to help generate dialogue if needed. We will play music and have some decorations to reinforce that this is a special event," the email said.

Find out what's happening in Noviwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Students will forgo recess to have a longer lunch break and more time to converse — in the hopes of making new friends. 


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