Middle School eighth grade students participated in several Upstander Training
sessions as a way to become peer leaders and present their learnings to the elementary
schools.
Students participated in activities that involve character building and building
empathy, such as the crossing the line activity, videos and slides on respecting differences,
meditation practice and games that teach them to help others. They received training on
being an upstander from John Martin, Suffolk County Department of Health Services senior
public health educator and director of school health education. He provided them with
resources to turnkey the training to younger students.
This training has come full circle to some eighth graders, as they also received these
presentations at the elementary level. Now passing on what they’ve learned, their
presentations will focus on kindness and compassion, antibullying, mental health
awareness and acceptance.
