A free anti-bullying, “pro-kindness” programme is being offered to students of Sandys Secondary Middle School this fall, supported by a donation from the Argus Group.

Chain Reaction Bermuda — one of the main gang-prevention tools used in classrooms today — is a voluntary, preventive programme aimed at disarming bullying and preventing violence in schools.

Chain Reaction is available for students between the ages of 11 and 18.

The programme challenges students to make a positive difference in their personal lives, schools, families and community.

Guest speakers, visual aids, short video clips on character development and information on gang prevention are used to educate participants at monthly Chain Reaction Assemblies.

The programme gives students the opportunity to use what they learn in various organised clubs that help to enhance their skills.

Chain Reaction clubs include: administration, recruitment and marketing, media and production and community outreach among others.

Alison Hill, chief executive officer at the Argus Group, said: “The programme teaches values and a sense of belonging, while offering a safe environment for children to express their fears and grow as individuals.

“Argus is pleased to contribute to such an important programme to help better the lives of the next generation of Bermudians”.

Chain Reaction was founded in the US by Darrell Scott, the father of one of the Columbine High School shooting victims on April 20, 1999.

Mr Scott, who delivered this widely-quoted speech to a US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, felt the need to help students show respect for their peers.

He began the programme with a hope of preventing tragedies such as Columbine. Gary Simons, Bermuda’s Chain Reaction director, saw a need for a programme of this nature in Bermuda and worked closely with Mr Scott to establish Chain Reaction Bermuda.

“On behalf of Sandys Secondary Middle School, I thank Argus for their financial support and for enabling us to offer this programme to our students,” said Karen Raynor, Deputy Principal at Sandys Secondary Middle School.

“The programme teaches students a great deal about respect, kindness and generosity. Our students are grateful for the opportunity to participate and experience all that Chain Reaction has to offer,” she added.