The Guidance Counselling Services Unit of Department of Education in collaboration with Ms. Loverly Sheridan and the Buddy Ambassadors Campaign hosted a half-day training session on “Creating a Buddy Culture in the Classroom.”

The ‘Buddy Ambassadors/Buddy Bench’ campaign, is an ongoing US National Anti-bullying campaign designed by author and youth advocate, and Palm Beach Illustrated Prestigious 2019/2020, ‘Educator of the Year Recipient’, Ms. Loverly Sheridan, based on her book ‘Be a Buddy Not a Bully’ which is geared towards children in grades Pre-K to 3 (Ages 4 to 10) to help raise awareness and help end bullying in schools. Additionally, Ms. Sheridan has introduced her “Take A Minute” initiative for secondary schools, which promotes mental health and wellness in teenagers.

The Buddy Ambassadors, “Creating a Buddy Culture in the Classroom” Workshop, was created to provide support to teachers and educators to help spread the “Buddy Culture,” in schools. It provides teachers with viable and tangible tips and tools on how to create a buddy culture in the classroom.  A culture which reflects an atmosphere of kindness, friendliness, inclusivity, dignity and mutual respect. Teachers learn tips and strategies on how to create a warm, friendly and welcoming environment which is conducive to learning, while maximizing students social and academic growth. Teachers also learn effective strategies on how to address situations on bullying between students. The half or full day workshop is directed by author Loverly Sheridan, and comes with a Buddy Ambassadors certificate of completion.

District and School Counsellors and one teacher representative from each Secondary School, Special Education Centre, Boys Training Centre and Uptons Garden Girls Centre representatives will be in attendance.

The international campaign is already a great success in the United States, the author’s homeland, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts, Grenada and Virgin Gorda, BVI. Our mission is to implement the program at all schools in the Caribbean. It has been endorsed by the Ministry of Education in all countries, and has proven to create a greater atmosphere of kindness and inclusiveness in schools.

 List of Schools in Saint Lucia with Buddy Benches:

1.Odsan Combined, 2.Ave Maria Girls Primary, 3.Dame Pearlette Louisy, 4.Marchand Combined School,5. La Croix Combined, 6.Tapion School,7.Dunnator School, 8.Vide.Bouteille Primary, 9.Richfond Combined, 10. Plainview Combined, 11. Monchy Primary, 12.Gordon Walcott Methodist Primary, 13.Seventh Day Adventist Secondary, 14. Soufriere Primary, 15.Ciceron Primary, 16.Delcer Combined, 17. Banse La Grace, 18.Mon Repos Combined, 19.Les Etang Combined, 20.Corinth Secondary, 21.Gros Islet Primary, 22.Derniere Riviere Combined, 23. Carmen Rene Memorial School, 24.Monchy Primary, 25. Bouton Combined, 26.Camille Henry Memorial School.

Schools to receive benches for February’s 2020 Independence Campaign:

Des Barra Combined, Morne Du Don Primary, Millet Combined, Babonneau Secondary, Belle Vue Combined, and three more schools not yet identified.

Corporate Sponsors include: HERTZ, BANK OF SAINT LUCIA, CRYSTAL CLEAR, DOMINO’S PIZZA, DIGICEL, VALLEY COLD STORAGE LTD, WEST TECH SHIPPING, ART OF LIVING FOUNDATION.

This workshop is scheduled to be held on February 25th, 2020 at The District 2 Education Office, Sans Soucis, Castries  from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.