Tools and Strategies

Back to School Resources

High school students walking between class
Back to School is a busy time for educators and families alike. While a time of excitement, back to school can also be challenging as both educators and families navigate new environments, cultures and experiences. Below, explore resources for both educators and families to support creating classrooms where all students can thrive.

Resources for Schools and Educators

Students in a classroom

Video: Supporting Jewish Students

Explore strategies to help Jewish students feel safe, supported, and seen in your classroom—while engaging in meaningful discussions about Jewish history, culture, identity, and the impact of antisemitism.

Students and teacher in classroom doing Awareness to Action

Address Antisemitism: Digital Kit

Teaching about antisemitism is not only about understanding the past, but also about shaping a more compassionate and just future.

Teacher speaking to students in a classroom

Where to Begin: Echoes and Reflections

Teaching about the Holocaust can be challenging but it is a critical piece of history for students to explore. Explore these resources to help you plan your instruction on this complex topic. Through a sound study of the Holocaust, students gain an understanding of the dangers and consequences of unchecked antisemitism and hate.

Students laying down reading in a school library with teacher

Names Matter: Fostering Respect, Understanding and Belonging in Schools

When the school year begins, reviewing the class list is usually at the top of the to-do list for elementary classrooms. Teachers often take time to learn each child’s full name and spend time in the early days of school helping children get to know each other and their names.

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No Place for Hate®

A student-led school climate improvement program that fits your school's unique culture and needs.

Calendar-Multicultural

Calendar of Observances

To enhance mutual understanding among groups and promote inclusive communities, ADL offers this resource as a tool to increase awareness of and respect for religious obligations and ethnic and cultural festivities that may affect students, colleagues and neighbors in your community.

Two children looking at the flames of two candles on a menorah

5 Things to Know About the Jewish High Holidays

Learn about and explore the Jewish High Holidays; What are they and when do they occur? Why are they important and how are they celebrated?

Image of youth looking at an iceberg

Identity Iceberg: Mini-Lesson for Educators

Only a small portion of an iceberg can be seen above the waterline. Similarly, understanding someone's identity is limited by what we see on the surface. This mini lesson explores the concept of identity and the importance of going "below the waterline" to challenge and avoid stereotypes and identity-based bias.

5th graders posing for a group shot in their classroom

11 Ways Schools Can Keep Students Safe in Challenging Times

Schools must be places where students feel safe, supported and respected, especially in these challenging times. Learn more about prevention, intervention and education strategies in order to promote inclusive school environments where young people can learn, thrive and become their best selves.

Female and Male Students Holding Cellphones Debating

6 Ways to Be an Ally

Here are some simple things students can do to be an ally to targets of name-calling and bullying. And remember—always encourage students think about their safety first when deciding the best way to respond.

Professional Learning for Educators

Breaking Down Antisemitism Online Course

Online Course: Breaking Down Antisemitism

Guiding Students from Awareness to Action - Starts October 16th!

Get equipped to tackle hate head-on, building a dynamic culture of awareness, respect and meaningful action against antisemitism for students. Through this facilitator-guided learning experience, you'll craft an action plan to implement Awareness to Action: Challenging Antisemitism digital course for students.

Resources for Parents, Caregivers and Families

Family talking and eating dinner at a table

Safe, Seen, Included: A Family Toolkit for Jewish Students

This toolkit shares guidance, tools and resources to help parents, caregivers and families of Jewish students introduce themselves and their children to school leadership in a proactive, positive and approachable way.

High School Delegation

How to Advocate for Your Students at their K-12 School

This resource is for parents, caregivers and community members who want to counter antisemitism in their schools or districts but aren’t sure where to start, or how to be most effective.

classroom with desks

Together Against Hate: Advocacy Strategies for Families to Address Antisemitism

Online guides for parents and caregivers to learn strategies to advocate against antisemitism in K-12 schools.

A mother and her daughter talking to a teacher

Championing Change: How Parents and Families Can Address Antisemitism in Schools

This resource provides information about common antisemitic incidents and behaviors that take place in K-12 schools, and it addresses how families can support their children and help make their school more inclusive for Jewish and all students.

Family eating dinner at the table shot from above

Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current Events

Families often want to discuss news stories and other timely societal events. Research shows that dinnertime conversation benefits the health, emotional and academic outcomes for children of all ages. Each Table Talk guide includes a topic summary, questions to start the conversation and dig deeper, ideas to take action and additional resources.

Loving mother embracing son at home

Conversations that Matter: Understanding and Discussing Antisemitism with Young

Acknowledging that K-12 schools need to do more to educate all students about and address antisemitism, this resource is intended to help parents, families and other trusted adults in young people’s lives. 

Teacher talking to High School Student in Classroom

Israel in the Curriculum

Increasingly, there has been a rise in incidents of biased behaviors and instructional materials when learning about Israel in the classroom. Acting as an ally alongside young people can ensure that classroom learning experiences account for biases that make students unsafe.