Mix-It-Up Day Shakes Up the Lunch Scene at Harrison's Schools

The cafeteria is often the room that creates the biggest divide between students at the high school and middle school levels.

For that reason, the cafeteria was chosen as the place to bring students together as part of mix-it-up day at Harrison High School and L.M.K. Middle School. Students in sixth and ninth grades were asked to leave their current comfort zone and get to know students they may not have been familiar with before as part of Teaching Tolerance's National Mix-it-up Day.

In the middle school, eight graders helped plan and organize events that would bring the sixth graders together.

“Although some students have been encouraged to participate, most have done so because of their desire to be a part of our school community and do something of value,” said Assistant Principal Brian Seligman.

Nearly 80 eighth graders helped out during the sixth grade lunch period. Students received a card as they entered the cafeteria designating them to a candy table. Some students were Jolly Ranchers or M&M’s; others were Milky Ways or other well-known treats. Once students got their lunches, the eighth graders engaged their tables in introductions and interactive questions.

The same was occurring at roughly the same time at the high school, according to Cathy Rogers-Ganns, one of the ninth grade teachers involved in the day.

“Mix-It-Up Day was organized by the ninth grade team in an effort to foster team-building, as well as raise awareness for the need to create an inclusive community,” said Rogers-Ganns.

The ninth grade students were randomly divided into groups and students from ninth grade literacy coach Dom Zanot’s AP economics classes and members of The Friends of Rachel Club helped in facilitating seating and conversations.

The Harrison Central School District contributed this report.