Brewster High School Students Become Safe School Ambassadors

Brewster High School recently restarted the Safe School Ambassadors (SSA) program, a student-led bullying prevention program that relies on an “inside-out approach” to building a more positive school culture. Thirty socially influential student leaders were nominated by staff and participated in training to give them the tools necessary to both reduce and prevent bullying.

“Students know and hear about things before we do,” said Brewster High School Assistant Principal Lauren Cole. “They are our first line of defense. To train and prepare them to address bullying benefits our entire community. Every student selected was nominated by a staff member due to their promise, potential and influence among peers.”

Arianna Arocho, a freshman ambassador, noted the importance of the program.

“I think this program is super important because sometimes seeing things from another student’s point of view and being able to help without a teacher or staff member being involved can make the victim feel more comfortable,” Arianna said. “Also, when people think of preventing bullying, they sometimes think taking a physical or negative route will help. During training, student ambassadors learned how to stop bullying in a positive way, without turning into another ‘bully.’”

The student ambassadors participated in a two-day training with seven teachers serving as program mentors. Students learned how to resolve conflicts, defuse issues and be upstanders. After the initial training session, they have met biweekly in small groups (called family groups) to continue strengthening their skills through role play and conversations about situations they have encountered.

“In our first family group session, we played a game of telephone to show how rumors are spread,” Arianna said. “Rumors typically become distorted, as did the message in our game of telephone.”

For Arianna, the program has been a positive experience.

“The opportunity to participate in the SSA training was absolutely incredible!” Arianna said. “I have never felt such an immense amount of love and support from a group of people that I’ve never known before. I truly had a great time and made so many new friends within those two days of training.”

She also said that she thinks the skills she and her peers are learning are essential life lessons.

“Everyone should learn how to positively take a stand and not be a bystander to bullying, even if you aren’t involved in the program,” Arianna said. “These are skills that not just the student ambassadors should know, but our community as a whole should know!”

Arianna’s reaction is exactly what a program like this one thrives on. When influential student leaders become passionate about becoming upstanders and dealing with conflict in positive ways, other students can’t help but follow. Slowly but surely, Cole hopes it will create a more positive school culture.

“I hope this program creates a safe space for students,” Cole said. “A place where all students feel welcome, valued, and comfortable being themselves.”