Coventry Public Schools and Coventry Police Department Partner to Present Annual Upstander Anti-Bullying Program

The Coventry Public Schools, in partnership with the Coventry Police Department, will present its annual Upstander anti-bullying program this Wednesday for second- and fourth-grade students. Now in its eighth year, the program teaches students how to move from being a bystander to becoming an upstander when they witness bullying.

The program will be presented by Ted Opdenbrouw, District Security Specialist for Coventry Public Schools, with assistance from School Liaison Police Officer Nate Stebbins of the Coventry Police Department.

Students will learn four practical strategies they can use to help others: be a buddy, interrupt, speak up, and tell an adult. These strategies empower students to take positive action when they witness bullying and help foster a safe, supportive, and respectful school environment.

The presentation includes a group discussion, an age-appropriate educational video, and role-playing demonstrations by eighth-grade students. Through these demonstrations, younger students will see examples of how to apply the four Upstander strategies in real-life situations.

Coventry Public Schools has offered this anti-bullying presentation annually for the past eight years, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to bullying prevention and promoting positive relationships among students.

Through this continued partnership between Coventry Public Schools and the Coventry Police Department, students are encouraged to recognize that even small actions can make a meaningful difference in supporting their peers and creating a school community where everyone feels safe and included.

This information was provided by the Coventry Public Schools. For further information, please contact Ted Opdenbrouw at topdenbrouw@coventryct.org