Bigelow students at the ADL Youth Congress

Twenty five Bigelow students from 7th and 8th grades, who participate in the ADL Peer Training Program, attended the 24th Annual New England ADL Youth Congress on Friday April 13, 2018 at the Boston Sheraton Hotel.

The theme of this year’s Congress was ‘Courageous Conversations’. This one-day conference brought together over 1,300 middle school and high school students, teachers and community leaders from over 70 schools across New England, including Bigelow Middle School.  Four Bigelow students were selected to lead a workshop for peer leaders from other schools doing activities similar to the ones they do in Advisory at school, when they visit with students from all grades to present on bullying, cyber-bullying and anti-bias behaviors.

Educator, writer and national leader in social justice Brittany Packnett was the keynote speaker. Mya and Deanna Cook, the sisters who advocated for greater cultural responsiveness at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School, also spoke to students about their experience creating change in their school.

The ADL Peer Training Program at Bigelow, part of “A World of Difference,” is funded by the Newton Schools Foundation.