Students at Discovery Preparatory Charter School (“Discovery Prep”) in Pacoima, were welcomed back to school this year with a newly empowered group of Peer Trainers ready to be allies and challenge bias and bullying. The Peer Trainers and a large group of supportive staff went through four days of training at their school in Pacoima with facilitators from ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute before reaching every student at their school in a series of Names Can Really Hurt Us assemblies.
This group of student leaders across several grades engaged their fellow students in important conversations about what it feels like to be the target of bullying and worked to build empathy and create more allies. The Peer Trainers will use this power to transform their school climate for the better.
During their time with ADL facilitators, Discovery Prep students engaged in critical self-examination of themselves and their school communities to identify the best steps to address bias and bullying in their lives. Students built their skills on preventing, recognizing and addressing bullying and bias-related behaviors. Their time with ADL facilitators also focused on public speaking, intervening in acts of bias and bullying, and all the ways one can be an ally to another student in need.
The students and staff had so much great feedback for the program and the facilitators, including:
“I thank you guys for giving me mental strength, confidence and ability to talk with a louder voice.” –Student at Discovery Prep
“Thank you so much for coming down and helping us about bullying. I’ve learned a lot and I had a comfort zone to talk about stuff. These activities help to stand up and fight through your fear.” –Student at Discovery Prep
“I want to thank you for coming to Discovery to teach us about bullying. This is the most I’ve ever learned about this topic.” –Student at Discovery Prep
“Thank you so much for helping us start the year on a positive and energetic note. I’m excited to see how the spark you lit in the students will continue throughout the year.” –Educator at Discovery Prep
For more information on ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute programming in the Pacific Southwest region, please click here or contact Dave Reynolds: (310) 446-4233 or dreynolds@adl.org. For a comprehensive list of all resources available from the ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute, click here.