Inclusion, Middle School style

One great aspect of spending time in schools, surveying for accessibility, is the boost I get from the frequent messages posted on the walls encouraging the students toward greatness.  One Middle school I visited recently had these messages posted in the cafeteria to encourage Diversity and Inclusion.

• Invite someone new to join your lunch table.
• Bring a friend and join a new lunch table.
• Welcome new students to your lunch table.
• Introduce yourself to your neighbor in line or at your new table.

Spending time with new people can help each young person learn that we have more in common than we have differences.  Even that kid who uses a wheelchair likes to spend time reading the most popular books or learning the latest hair style or debating if the right team won the Super Bowl.   Taking the time to meet and learn about people you don’t already know is valuable.  Heck, you might meet your new best friend!