Since 2010, Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Bridge has been a community leader in helping support anti-bullying efforts at various schools throughout Luzerne County. The agency’s after-school anti-bullying course has been a mainstay at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School, where administrators consider it to be an invaluable part of helping to foster the school’s anti-bullying culture.
Now, Big Brothers Big Sisters of The Bridge – thanks to funding from the Luzerne Foundation – will open its anti-bullying course to the general public with a two-part seminar scheduled for Oct. 19 and 26. During the two courses, which will run 75-90 minutes, youth will be provided with the opportunity to learn about and discuss the five different types of bullying: physical, verbal, exclusion, property and cyber.
In addition, videos – some made by actual victims of bullying – will be viewed and discussed. Students will learn about what they can do to help prevent bullying from taking place at their schools and what to do should they encounter bullying in their lives.
The two-part course is free and is open to all youth ages 12 to 17. The courses will take place at Catholic Social Services, 33 East Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre. Parents and guardians are also welcome. Part 1 will take place on Oct. 19 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Part 2 will take place on Oct. 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The discussions will be guided by Alan Stout, a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff who has also taught professionally at the junior high school, high school and college level and has taught the agency’s anti-bullying courses for the past four years. Seating is limited. Those interested should register by October 15.
For more information, or to register, please call 570-824-8756, ex. 398
