LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ — Superintendent Atiya Y. Perkins dropped by a 6th-grade special education class at McManus Middle School Monday (Feb. 24) morning to observe their “No Hate in the Garden State” project in action—an initiative aimed at promoting cultural understanding and preventing discrimination.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
During the visit, teacher Alicia Ribeca and her 10-member special education class enthusiastically shared how they have immersed themselves in the project since their acceptance into the statewide initiative, with their final submission due on April 30. Ribeca explained that the project kicked off in January with a reflective assignment titled “I Am.”
In this exercise, each student designed a personal project celebrating their unique identity and cultural heritage. “We start by learning about ourselves—discovering our unique qualities—and then realizing how much we are alike despite our individual differences,” she said. “We want to share with Linden—our class, our district, our county, and our state—to prevent discrimination and bias by learning about other cultures.”
𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭
The class is composed of students from diverse cultural backgrounds who speak 4-5 different languages, reflecting the rich diversity of a district that serves 7,000 students and is home to more than 30 languages. Their work so far includes creative assignments, vibrant classroom displays, and engaging discussions that highlight various cultures, traditions, and holidays.
𝐀 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
As the project evolves, the students will continue to explore the cultural tapestry of their school, district, the City of Linden, Union County, and the state of New Jersey. Their journey will culminate in a multimedia slideshow filled with personal stories, research data, and insights into the many ways diverse communities celebrate life.
Superintendent Perkins, engaging warmly with the students as they showcased their projects, noted, “If you are a McManus student, you’re part of a legacy of excellence and inclusion.” She encouraged them to “roar for unity” as a powerful symbol of their commitment to learning and growing together, adding, “Your smile invites people in, showing that when you open your heart, you dismantle prejudice and build bridges.”
As the April 30 deadline fast approaches, the students of McManus Middle School are not only preparing to present their project to the division on civil rights but also to set an example of how education can dismantle prejudice and foster genuine connection.