CPSO leads anti-bullying training for Caddo Parish students

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Sheriff’s Safety Town will host a Back to School Anti-Bullying Day on Thursday, August 1, offering students a day of education, empowerment, and fun ahead of the new school year.

The event, led by Caddo Parish DARE Officer Sgt. Leary will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 8910 Jewella Ave. in Shreveport. Students will participate in interactive lessons designed to promote kindness and teach anti-bullying strategies through role-playing, group activities, and active learning methods, such as think-pair-share.

Students created anti-bullying posters and learned the tools to recognize different types of bullying. At the end of the training, they each received a positive anti-bullying message to bring back to their respective schools and organize an anti-bullying day of their own.

As part of the day’s programming, children will also design anti-bullying billboards for a creative competition. The guest speaker, former NFL player Brandon Wilson, will address the impact of bullying and encourage students to make positive choices.

Wilson hosted his third annual youth football camp in Shreveport back in June this year. Wilson continues to strive to make a difference for young children in the Caddo Parish area.

“Wanted to spark some type of hope to encourage them to go play football, encourage them to do any type of sport or just have some type of dream to go and get,” Wilson told KTAL during his youth football camp.

Organizers said participants will leave with information and tools to help them organize anti-bullying events in their schools.

The event will also feature a lineup of community wellness vendors, including SMB Fitness, Project Celebration, Gingerbread House, and Vernon’s Barbershop. To end the day, kids can enjoy snow cones, games, and a chance to dunk Sgt. Leary in the dunk tank.