"Huddle Up" - A Bullying Prevention Program

Bullying has been prevalent in our education system for many years, most commonly taking the form of hazing, initiations, and teasing.  It is now evolving into new forms such as cyber bullying. With the Huddle Up Program the Toronto Argonauts Players, Cheerleaders, Foundation staff and The Canadian Safe School Network work together to make schools safer places. Rather than concentrating solely on correcting the behaviour of those who bully, we focus our message on influencing the attitudes of all parties. Those who are bullied and bystanders can learn to address the situations before they result in negative actions. As a result, The Argos Foundation is proud to offer a multi-faceted program conveying key messages to help students prevent bullying in their schools.

Program Components:

HUDDLE UP STUDENT COMMITTEE

Suggested Meeting Dates: September to January
Meeting Length: 45- 50 minutes

Argos representatives empower members of your Huddle Up Student community. Prior to arriving at the school for the assembly, a “Huddle Up” team member meets with a committee made of 10 students (chosen by the school administrator). The Huddle Up Student Committee is made up of student leaders (i.e. members of sports teams), as well as students who have previous experience with bullying and being bullied. In elementary schools, these students range from grades 3-8. A member of the “Huddle Up” team gives the chosen 10 students guidance to create school initiatives that enhance the Huddle Up message prior, during, and after the actual presentation. Staff advisors are given a set of guidelines to assist them through this process. 

HUDDLE UP SCHOOL ASSEMBLY

Suggested Assembly Dates: January to April
Assembly Length: 45 – 60 minutes

The assembly involves the participation of the player, staff member and most importantly, the students. The format of the assembly is designed to provide students with bullying awareness and the necessary tools to deal with the issue.

HUDDLE UP COMMITTEE SUMMIT

Summit Date: May (Information will be sent after March)
Timeline: 9:30-1:00- at a suitable location

The Huddle up Committee members from your school as well as a staff advisor will be invited to a summit hosted by The Argos Foundation, Argonauts Players, Cheerleaders and our program partners to address the issues surrounding bullying. This summit is a brainstorming session that will provide students with an open forum to share their school’s perspective on leadership, bullying and violence in schools. The student committee summit will provide your students with the opportunity to take valuable information back to their school to improve their educational environment.

HUDDLE UP CONTEST

Suggested Timeline: February –April

A contest will be posted on The Argos Foundation website (www.stoptheviolence.ca) and/or the Toronto Argonauts website (www.argonauts.ca), which will award two schools ( one elementary and one secondary) with a signature Toronto Argonauts item. The contest is based on a presentation of your school/Huddle Up committee’s efforts to increase awareness of bullying prevention.

Package Options for Schools:

Package A - $799.00
Limited to the first 35 schools that Book

Package B - $599.00

*Schools can request an additional assembly on the same day for an additional cost of $200.00.
**(For schools outside a 75km radius from the Rogers Centre, there will be an extra charge per km at a rate of 44.5 cents/km)

Additional Options: Package A:

Schools who have purchase the Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program with the Package A option have the choice of 1 additional assembly; either the Parent/Teacher Information Session or the Cheerleader Female Bullying Presentation.

1. Parent Evening Information/Professional Development Teacher Presentation

In order for the bullying prevention message to be successful at school, students must hear it not only from the Argonauts, but also from their teachers, parents and school administrators. This message must be consistent everywhere. Schools that have chosen package A have the option to host a bullying prevention information session with a “Huddle Up” representatives and Detective Kevin Guest, author of “How to protect your youth from violence”. This session educates community members about to how to identify and protect young people from violence. In addition, the parents, teachers and administrators are made aware of the messaging that their students receive.

2. Huddle Up with the Argonauts’ Cheerleaders to Stop Female Bullying

Bullying occurs in all shapes, sizes and genders. Therefore as an added option to the regular messaging, The Argos Foundation is proud to offer schools a new angle to the anti-bullying message. Schools have the option to utilize a member of the Cheerleading team or alumni cheerleaders to convey the message of anti-bullying. This presentation takes the form of a small-scale forum for girls’ phys-ed classes and/or female sports teams.

A portion of all money raised will assist the Canadian Safe School Network.