November 8, 2012

Bullying Prevention Day To Close Out Bullying Awareness Week

ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF

TORONTO – On Tuesday, November 20, the 100th Grey Cup Festival will devote an entire day of programming to Bullying Prevention in the Nissan Family Zone at Yonge-Dundas Square. Closing out Bullying Awareness Week, students of all ages from across the GTA will be on hand to take part in a giant bullying prevention rally, with the festivities getting underway at 10:00 AM.

Inspired by the Toronto Argonauts award-winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program presented by Tim Hortons, the day will open up with elementary school students joining together in the square to recite a pledge and sign a banner of strength while taking in performances and inspirational messages from some very special guests.  Internet-rapping sensation Lil Jaxe who was bullied for his stutter will perform, beat-boxing specialists Q-mack and J-box will amaze the crowd with some magical football tricks and Marlowe and the Mix will sing the message home along with her All-Stars.  The day will be led by Family Channel’s Lindsay Hamilton, with guest appearances by MTV’s Aliya Jasmine and MuchMusic VJ T-RexXx.

The Toronto Argonauts’ vision of making schools a safer place for students across Canada will be addressed through inspirational speeches given by four-time Grey Cup champion Michael “Pinball” Clemons, as well as bullying prevention advocate and founder of the Huddle Up program Jason Colero, Director, Education Programs, Toronto Argonauts and The Argos Foundation. 

Later that evening, the 100th Grey Cup Festival is proud to host the internationally-recognized author and expert on the subject of bullying, Barbara Coloroso. Free to the public with a suggested donation going towards The Argos Foundation supporting Huddle Up, Coloroso will discuss themes from her latest book “The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander” at the Ted Rogers Theatre at Ryerson University.  She will also be joined by a group of panelists all closely connected to the issues at hand.

This day is a benchmark for the 100th Grey Cup Festival and will be truly inspirational for all involved. Be sure to come down to Yonge-Dundas Square and take part in what will be one more history-in-the-making event!

 

THE FACTS

Event:             100th Grey Cup Festival Bullying Prevention Day

Date:               Tuesday, November 20

Time:              10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location:        Nissan Family Zone at Yonge-Dundas Square

* Barbara Coloroso panel, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Ted Rogers Theatre at Ryerson University, 55 Dundas St. West


About the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program

The Toronto Argonauts Football Club has been at the forefront of helping to eradicate bullying in GTA schools for well over a decade through its award-winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program.  Presented by Tim Hortons, Huddle Up has led the way in bullying initiatives through a multi-component program that involves student empowerment and powerful testimonials by an Argos player and staff at a school-wide assembly. The Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program uses the personal stories of Toronto Argonauts football players to encourage friendship and inclusion, and reduce or eradicate bullying.  In 2012, the Huddle Up program reached over 65,000 students, and 700 of their parents, with an impactful message that was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Safe School Network.  Over the last decade, Huddle Up has reached close to 500,000 students across the G.T.A. ranging in age from 8-18. In 2009, the Huddle Up program became recognized on the Ministry of Education’s Registry of Bullying Prevention Programs.  The Argonauts are the only Canadian sports team to have a program registered.

 

About the 100th Grey Cup Festival

The 100th Grey Cup Festival is an “Invitation to Our Nation”, uniting Canadians from coast-to-coast in Toronto for a ten-day, eleven-night festival encompassing over 50 events ranging from traditional team parties, galas and player awards to a football film festival and family fun zone at great venues including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and Yonge Dundas Square.  Complete with street parties, entertainment and activities, the 100th Grey Cup will be a sport and cultural celebration that befits this iconic Canadian game.  To learn more about the 100th Grey Cup Festival, please visit the official website at www.100thgreycupfestival.ca.

 

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