HHREC Middle School Human Rights Institute 2025
Teachers and students from 32 schools from the Hudson Valley and Greenwich, CT attended the 10th Annual HHREC Human Rights Institute for Middle School Student Leaders at Congregation Emanu-El of Westchester in Rye, New York.
HHREC staff led by Jeanne Claire Cotnoir and area middle school teachers facilitated a breakout session on the themes of Human Rights, What it Means to Respect Human Dignity,and How to Be an Upstander. Students met within groups to develop activities to implement in their schools. Students from Katonah-Lewisboro, Byram Hills, Somers, Dobbs Ferry, Hasting and Rye Neck high schools helped facilitate the breakout sessions.
The Institute began with a keynote presentation by Sheila Arnold, CEO and Lead Performer of History’s Alive! Ms. Arnold has also performed as a Regional Storyteller at Colonial Williamsburg, the Valley Forge Teacher Institute, and at conferences across the U.S.
This program was developed to further the mission of the HHREC by laying the foundation to encourage students to become “upstanders rather than bystanders.”
Participating schools included: Albert Leonard (New Rochelle); Anne M. Dorner MS (Ossining); Ardsley MS; Bell Middle School (Chappaqua), Benjamin Turner (Mount Vernon); Blind Brook MS; Briarcliff MS; Denzel Washington School of the Arts (Mount Vernon); Dobbs Ferry MS; Eastchester MS; Fieldstone MS (North Rockland); George Fischer MS (Carmel); German International School (White Plains); Greenburgh MS; Henry H. Wells (Brewster); Highlands MS (White Plains); Hommocks MS (Mamaroneck); Isaac E. Young MS (New Rochelle); Mahopac MS; Newburgh (Heritage MS, Meadow Hill MS; South MS and Temple Academy); Pierre Von Cortandt (Croton); Pleasantville MS; Port Chester MS; Sacred Heart (Greenwich); Seven Bridges MS (Chappaqua); Somers MS; St. Joseph's School (Bronxville), Woodlands MS and Yonkers 23.
Please contact Jeanne Claire Cotnoir, HHREC Coordinator of Student Programming at jcotnoir@hhrecny.org or call 914.696.0738 for further information.
HHREC Middle School Human Rights Institute
Photos and Testimonials
2021 Middle School Human Rights Institute
Thank you so much for your very interesting event – Sheila Arnold has a great stage presence! Our students enjoyed the event so much that I am thinking of doing the same for the whole class. I did one of the breakout sessions (the one with the 7 different clips on microaggressions) and that led to a vivid and in-depth discussion.
German International School
My students thoroughly enjoyed Sheila's performance and stated that they liked that it was a "story as opposed to a lecture." They found her completely engaging and a few of them shared that they actually thought she was a slave! Sheila is truly amazing!
My students also had such a great discussion about microaggressions. They were excited to share their experiences and think about ways to raise awareness in our school.
Woodlands Middle School
My students and I wanted to thank you for putting together such an engaging presentation. The breakout room lessons lead to many meaningful insights and conversations. My students were excited to bring what they learned to the rest of the Student Organization of Leaders at the school. Thank you for a wonderful experience!
Highlands Middle School
Thank you for preparing everything for the Middle School Institute. I'm proud of my students' participation with Sheila and in our workshops. It's a good thing we were on our own. They had so much to say during the microaggression workshop.
Albert Leonard Middle School
I have so much to report about the Institute this year. For Pleasantville, it was the best yet! We had a super day and did so much high-level discussion. We are busy developing scripts that will be videoed by the district and shared on the website for all!
Pleasantville Middle School