There is No Place for Hate at County Line Elementary. The school recently became a recognized campus through No Place for Hate, which is a nationally recognized student-led school climate improvement program to prevent bullying.

“Being kind is the coolest thing ever!” said County Line Principal April Jones. “We want to make sure there is no hate on our campus!”

A No Place for Hate celebration was held on the campus grounds on Friday, Sept. 1, and it included handmade decorated signs, chants of “No Place for Hate” and even some popsicles for the students.

“It’s really just a way to create a climate for everyone to feel safe and included,” said County Line Elementary Counselor Kalisha Wenzel. “Since this is the first NBISD campus to receive this recognition, we would like to promote the program to the community.”

During the 2022-23 school, students at the campus formed a coalition and implemented activities and projects that helped create a positive school environment. This included activities that were structured to make all students feel a part of the school community.

One of the students who was involved in the coalition was Ava Barbosa. Last school year she was a fifth-grade student at County Line, and she has since moved on to New Braunfels Middle School. Barbosa returned to her elementary campus, where she spoke to the entire student body.

“I mostly just wanted to spread the word about this great organization,” she said. “It’s really important to me, and it does really great things for our school.”

To become designated as a No Place for Hate campus, a school must initiate the student-led activities, apply for the distinction and receive student feedback.

“It’s really great and allows students to celebrate their differences,” said Martha Lewis, the County Line librarian.
At the event, NBISD Superintendent Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury invited campus staff and the student coalition members to the upcoming school board meeting in an effort to recognize County Line for their outstanding work and to expand the program throughout the district.

Barbosa said she hopes that more schools are open to working to become No Place for Hate campuses.

“It was such a big honor for me,” she said. “It was a great experience!”