Toronto Argonauts Launch 13th Year Of Bullying Prevention In G.t.a. Schools
ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is excited to kickoff its 13th year of bullying prevention in the G.T.A.! The Argos, through their award winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program, presented by Tim Hortons, have reached more than 500,000 students while being at the forefront of helping to eradicate bullying in G.T.A. schools for more than a decade. The program leads the way in bullying prevention initiatives through student empowerment and engagement by Argonauts players and staff. Argos players including Matt Black, Tyler Holmes, Jonathan Hood, Andrew Jones, David Lee, Chris Van Zeyl and James Yurichuk will participate in this year’s Huddle Up program.
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Argos In The Community |
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Commented Toronto Argonauts Director, Education & Community Programs, Jason Colero, “We are very proud that more than half a million local students have been positively influenced through the powerful messages shared through our Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program. For more than a decade we have worked to help thousands of youth address the issues associated with the behaviour of bullying to encourage a safe and accepting environment within our schools. While there is still much to do, we must acknowledge the commitment of our players and cheerleaders, the administration and students at our local school boards, and our partners at Tim Hortons, who have all been vital in making this program possible.”
The program is customized for each school to address the specific issues faced by each student body, ranging from physical and verbal intimidation, to cyber-bullying and eventargeted female bullying prevention strategies. The focus is guided by the Huddle Up Student Committee at each of the more than 30 participating schools, made up of influential student leaders and students that have experience with bullying. These students are empowered to positively impact their school environment by enhancing awareness on the issue of bullying in their school community before, during and after the Toronto Argonauts’ presentation. The program also includes specially designed Parent-Teacher Information Sessions so that parents can learn more about bullying tactics and support their students in overall prevention.
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 2014, the Huddle Up program will again reach more than 35,000 students, and 700 of their parents, with an impactful message that was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Safe School Network. Over more than a decade, Huddle Up has reached more than 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.
Visit the COMMUNITY CALENDAR for a full list of Huddle Up Appearances and to see if YOUR school will be getting a visit from the Argos!