Schools
Pennridge HS students work with NOVA to address bullying in elementary school
High-schoolers trained to deliver program that reduces bullying by changing younger students' thinking and behaviors.
Student leaders from the Pennridge School District have collaborated with Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) to create positive change at Bedminster Elementary School.
Under the guidance of NOVA staff, ten Pennridge High School students were coached and trained to deliver NOVA’s Encourage peer-education program to students in grades 1, 3 and 4 at the Perkasie elementary school. Encourage is an interactive bullying prevention program, developed by NOVA, that promotes and supports inclusion, empathy and teamwork.
“This program reduces bullying by encouraging younger students to change their thinking and behavior,” says Mary Worthington, NOVA’s Elementary Education Coordinator.
Find out what's happening in Doylestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Research suggests that peer education draws on the credibility that young people have with their peers, leverages the power of role modeling and supports the needs of today’s youth. It also gives the teens an opportunity to train in leadership roles and practice public speaking. All participants benefit.”
This year’s high school peer educators at Bedminster Elementary:
Find out what's happening in Doylestownfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Grade 1:
Liberty Devenuto
Lauren Saylor
Grade 3:
Chase Bifolco
Kira Andersen
Olivia Fernandez
Natalie Pyne
Grade 4:
Kurt Wiest
Connor McDonald
Vanessa Lizana
Olivia Gemmell
For more information on NOVA’s Encourage program, please contact Mary Worthington, 215.343.6543.
IMAGE shows Pennridge High School students work with Bedminster Elementary fourth-grade students to help end bullying.
