Students at Windsor Elementary Set to Cross Social Boundaries During 10th Annual “Mix It Up at Lunch Day”

Windsor Elementary students will join more than two million others across the country to cross social and racial boundaries on Friday as part of the 10th annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day, an event designed to foster respect and understanding in schools. The event will be held:

Friday, Oct. 21, 2011
11:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Windsor Elementary School
5912 University Ave.

Mix It Up encourages students to sit with someone new for lunch. Many schools are planning similar barrier-busting activities throughout the day. Some use the event to kick off a yearlong exploration of social divisions. 

Student organizers agree that Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages students to cross group lines and meet new people. Mix It Up also fosters school spirit and unity, raises awareness about social boundaries and helps students meet different kinds of people.
“This is the seventh year we’ve participated in the day, and each year we explore different activities so that students expand their learning and build a stronger community,” said Judi Mireles, Windsor Elementary school counselor. “Conversation starters will be on each of the tables in the cafeteria so students can learn more about their buddy. Many of our students say that this is their favorite days of the year.” 

More than 5,000 schools are expected to participate in this year’s Mix It Up at Lunch Day, which is sponsored by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance project. The Southern Poverty Law Center launched Teaching Tolerance in 1991 to provide educators with free resources designed to reduce prejudice and promote respect for differences among our nation’s children. The Mix It Up program began in 2002.