Argos Award-Winning Huddle up Bullying Prevention Program Returns
Published on January 25, 2011 under Canadian Football League (CFL)
Toronto Argonauts News Release
Toronto - The Toronto Argonauts Football Club is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its impactful and award-winning Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program. Presented by Tim Hortons, Huddle Up is a multi-component program that involves active student engagement and powerful testimonials by an Argos player and staff at a school-wide assembly. For 2011, Argos players including Matt Black, Tristan Black, Cory Boyd, Jeremaine Copeland, Joe Eppele, Ricky Foley and Jordan Younger will participate in the Huddle Up program.
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. Annually, the Huddle Up program reaches close to 30,000 students, and 700 of their parents with an impactful message that was developed in conjunction with the Canadian Safe School Network. Over the last decade, Huddle Up has reached over 250,000 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.
Before the assembly, Argos staff help establish the Huddle Up Student Committee at each of the 30 participating schools. The committee, which is made up of identified bullies, victims and popular students, is 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. Following the one hour presentation that focuses on the bystander and positive choices, the committee is left to the guidance of the school advisor to continue the positive messaging.
Later in the school year, the committee and school advisor are invited to the Huddle Up Student Summit. Entering its fifth year, the summit provides students from different schools the opportunity to share ideas and brainstorm with other school committees to address the global issue of bullying.
In 2010, the Argonauts added a cyber-bullying component to discussions to address one of the top issues as identified by school administrators. Positive use of social networks is now encouraged through the growing community of students on facebook.com/ArgosFootball. In 2008, the Argos also added a female-only session with an Argos cheerleader. The female assemblies now reach 20 schools annually. Media wishing to attend any Huddle Up in-school events must contact the Toronto Argonauts Communications Department in advance. Here is a list of Huddle Up Bullying Prevention Program school visits until the end of February. More assemblies are scheduled in March and April.
DATE: Friday, January 28 TIME: 1:30 p.m. SCHOOL: St. Julia Billiart ADDRESS: 2070 Bur Oak Ave., Markham PLAYER: Joe Eppele
DATE: Tuesday, February 1 TIME: 9:00 a.m. SCHOOL: Cassandra Public School ADDRESS: 45 Cassandra Blvd., Toronto PLAYER: Joe Eppele
DATE: Friday, February 4 TIME: 9:30 a.m. SCHOOL: St. Charles Garnier Catholic School ADDRESS: 20 Stong Court, Downsview PLAYER: Matt Black
DATE: Monday, February 7 TIME: 10:00 a.m. SCHOOL: McCrimmon Middle School ADDRESS: 83 McCrimmon Drive, Brampton PLAYER: Jordan Younger
DATE: Tuesday, February 8 TIME: 8:30 a.m. SCHOOL: St. Andrew's College ADDRESS: 15800 Yonge Street, Aurora PLAYER: Matt Black
DATE: Thursday, February 10 TIME: 8:30 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. SCHOOL: Markham District High School ADDRESS: 89 Church Street, Markham PLAYER: Ricky Foley
DATE: Friday, February 11 TIME: 9:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. SCHOOL: Gulfstream Public School ADDRESS: 20 Gulfstream Road, Toronto PLAYER: Cory Boyd
DATE: Monday, February 14 TIME: 2:15 p.m. SCHOOL: Greensborough Public School ADDRESS: 80 Alfred Patterson Drive, Markham PLAYER: Matt Black
DATE: Tuesday, February 15 TIME: 12:45 p.m. SCHOOL: Blair Ridge Public School ADDRESS: 100 Blackfriar Ave., Brooklin PLAYER: Ricky Foley
DATE: Wednesday, February 16 TIME: 10:30 a.m. SCHOOL: Franklin Street Public School ADDRESS: 21 Franklin Street, Markham PLAYER: Jeremaine Copeland
DATE: Thursday, February 17 TIME: 8:55 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. SCHOOL: Weston Collegiate Institute ADDRESS: 100 Pine Street, Toronto PLAYER: Jordan Younger
DATE: Friday, February 18 TIME: 9:00 a.m. SCHOOL: St. Dominic Catholic School ADDRESS: 515 Hartsdale Ave., Mississauga PLAYER: Tristan Black
DATE: Friday, February 18 TIME: 1:00 p.m. SCHOOL: Castlebridge Public School ADDRESS: 2801 Castlebridge Drive, Mississauga PLAYER: Tristan Black
DATE: Tuesday, February 22 TIME: 1:00 p.m. SCHOOL: St. Padre Pio Catholic School ADDRESS: 770 Napa Valley Drive, Woodbridge PLAYER: Joe Eppele
DATE: Monday, February 28 TIME: 9:15 a.m. SCHOOL: Holy Cross Catholic School ADDRESS: 3615 Morning Star Drive, Mississauga PLAYER: Cory Boyd
Canadian Football League Stories from January 25, 2011
- Thelwell Announces Retirement - Calgary Stampeders
- Argos Award-Winning Huddle up Bullying Prevention Program Returns - Toronto Argonauts
- CFL's Top Defender Extends Stay in Hamilton - Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Blue Bombers Extend Two Canadians - Winnipeg Blue Bombers
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