Middle school Human Rights Academy dives into Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Forty-six middle school students are participating in the Human Rights Academy at Crispell Middle School this week. The students are focusing on Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”

A group of about 20 middle school kids are sitting on a floor with two women behind them.

On Monday and Tuesday, the students heard from Jeff Urbin, director of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Library in Hyde Park, and Inaudy Gil, executive director of the Orange County Human Rights Commission.

In a darkened room, middle school students are sitting watching a man in a white shirt and tie, with a bust of Eleanor Roosevelt next to him.

The setting is a library with bookshelves and books on the wall. Two adults are standing in front of a group of about 20 middle school students teaching.

Urbin explained the way in which FDR’s Four Freedoms laid the foundation for what became the UDHR. His presentation covered the way in which FDR sought to secure these basic freedoms for all people and how, after his death, his wife Eleanor continued his legacy of establishing human rights globally for all citizens. The students had the opportunity to see this firsthand with their trip to the FDR Library on Wednesday.

The academy is run by Crispell’s John Tobin and Katie Green, and CVMS’s Derrick Frost and Amy McDonald.

A woman stands at the head of a table with six middle school students sitting around it.

On Tuesday, the students met and heard from Alayne Eisloeffel of the Tri-County Prevention Coalition and Cynthia Ilardi, a prevention educator from Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council (ADAC) of Orange County. Both spoke to the group about how having good mental health and respect for themselves and others is a key part of article 3. If you feel safe and free, the rights in article 3 are accomplished.

The students played “Be Yourself Bingo,” learning about themselves and others. They also broke into groups to work on spreading positive messaging and providing resources via bulletin boards, pamphlets and posters, and videos and podcasts.

A man in a dark blue shirt leans on a table where six middle school students are working and listening.

Some students were discussing the importance of mental health and why it is vital to keep it a priority. Proper sleep, healthy nutrition and good hygiene are instrumental in maintaining good mental health.

Two middle school students, a boy and a girl, sit at a table working on their Chromebooks.

More speakers were planned, including both CVMS and Crispell principals, Lisa Hankinson and Stephen Wilder! This academy is a wonderful opportunity for our middle school students to learn about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A man with short light hair, wearing khaki shorts and a light blue shirt, stands in front of a group of middle school students who are sitting at tables.

A woman with medium length blonde hair wearing a light blue tshirt talks to a group of middle school students.

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Middle school Human Rights Academy dives into Universal Declaration of Human Rights