At Williams Lake Secondary School students are taking a stand against bullying.
For the fourth consecutive year the school Go to Team is in the hallways with their mandate of “No to Bullying.”
“The program works on various levels,” says principal and co-organizer Silvia Dubray.
“Just having the team gives us another 22 people looking out for one another. The awareness factor alone is a big step in the right direction.”
Each year the Go to Team goes through a series of training sessions with Dubray and myself, co-facilitator Mike Levitt. The training kicks off with a full-day workshop in September followed by monthly meetings.
We’ve had some great success over the last couple of years. We are developing a culture that allows older students to support the younger ones and in turn recognize that being a bully just is not cool.
This year 22 Grade 12 team members were selected based on the input from last year’s team, counselling and administration input, and the opportunity to put their own names forward.
Team member Megan Cheverie sees herself a natural helper who can provide support no matter who she is working with.
The Go to Team allows kids to work out their problems without the pressure of telling an adult. Talking to a peer is sometimes more comfortable,” Cheverie says.
Dubray and myself work hard to have a team that covers all the school’s social groups.
Willa Julius, with her Williams Lake background ranging from theatre to rugby, comments on her suitability as a team member: “I am a non-judging, considerate person who looks at both sides of the coin.”
The Go to Team’s first training session is Sept. 25 at Thompson Rivers University.
At the end of the day they will take part in the Suicide and Sudden Death Awareness Day events.
Team member Latasha Diaz invites the public to the event today, Sept. 25, starting in Boitanio Park at 3:30 p.m. then moving to WLSS for a concert.
“We will be acting as hosts to the event and letting people know what we are all about. Say no to bullying!”