City and School offer World Cafe for Students

News Release
November 8, 2012

City Contact: Keeta King 
903-237-1255 or kking@longviewtexas.gov

Pine Tree ISD Contact: Vickie Echols
903-295-5136 or vechols@longviewtexas.gov
 

City and School offer World Café for Students

(Longview, TX) The City of Longview Partners in Prevention’s Unity and Diversity Committee and Pine Tree ISD will host a World Café event for Pine Tree Junior High School students on the topic of anti-hate and preventing bullying in a diverse world. Seven World Café sessions with approximately 40-45 students each will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Friday, November 9, at Pine Tree Junior High School, 2100 W. Loop 281.

The World Café is a conversational process based on small group conversations that can be adapted to a variety of topics. The purpose of the World Café is to provide a safe place for students to convey ideas, discuss diverse perspectives and experiences, and connect with peers, and share discoveries learned through the process.

Each World Café session will be approximately 35 minutes with questions centering on diversity and anti-hate. Students will have 15 minutes to discuss two questions and then will have 20 minutes to share their small group discussions with the whole group. The Unity and Diversity Committee members and Pine Tree Junior High School staff will help facilitate group discussions.

According to Amanda Henry, Pine Tree Junior High School Counselor, the campus is very excited about repeating this event. The World Cafe discussion groups support the campus-wide plan to provide a safe environment for students and staff, and according to Henry provides an engaging platform that kids really enjoy.
According to Keeta King, Program and Outreach Coordinator with Partners in Prevention, said, “We appreciate the opportunity to hear the ideologies of the youth in our city. We’re grateful that Pine Tree has taken on the anti-hate initiative, and have chosen the Unity and Diversity Committee as a vehicle to help bring about positive change.  Last year was very enlightening and we look forward to more quality conversation with this group.

"This is one of many strategies we are using in the Pine Tree district to prevent bullying," said Vickie Echols, spokesperson for the District. "The experience proved to be very successful last year, and I think it will be another rewarding experience for our students as well as the many Pine Tree school employees and community members that are helping us with the discussion groups.

For more information about World Cafés or other Unity and Diversity Committee projects, please contact Partners in Prevention at 903-237-1019 or visit PIP.LongviewTexas.gov. For media access on the day of the event, please contact Vickie Echols at Pine Tree ISD at 903-295-5136.

About the Unity and Diversity Committee:
The Unity and Diversity Committee meets the first Monday of each month at 12 p.m. at the Longview Public Library. The Unity and Diversity Committee seeks to overcome barriers to the inclusion of all community members by protecting human rights, challenging discrimination, and celebrating diversity and commonality.

Related Content:

Partners in Prevention

Unity and Diversity Committee

Pine Tree ISD