Westport’s own anti-bullying force is starting the fight against bullying from a young age. Kool to Be Kind (K2BK ) is a program run by Staples High School, where high school students volunteer their time to teach third-graders at the local elementary schools about kindness and how to deal with bullying.  To me, it’s very important for children to be made aware of the issue of bullying early on, and K2BK allows for this education. The earlier they learn, the more problems will be avoided in the future. 

Many children start experiencing bullying during their elementary school years, which only progresses as they get older. Bullying is a prominent issue in schools across the country, which is why K2BK’s goal is to tackle the problem early. 

Not only does the group talk about how important it is to be kind, but they explain the many types of bullying, how to become aware of it and what to do about it. 

Five days a year, K2BK goes to each of the four elementary schools in Westport (Coleytown, Saugatuck, Greens Farms and Long Lots) to teach third-grade students about the issue of bullying and how they can prevent it from happening as they get older. 

K2BK is one of the most beneficial programs that Westport offers to its younger students. Tackling the problem of bullying early on can prevent more dangerous bullying scenarios form occurring. 

While some may say that it is too early to talk to kids about bullying, making younger kids aware of the severity of bullying can stop the issue from escalating as they approach middle school. When I was a third-grader sitting in that auditorium, I felt determined to make a difference in someone’s life. K2BK made an impact on me and taught me how I could become an “ally”rather than a bystander. 

Middle and high school principals always give the talk each year on how important it is for students to become “allies” and stand up for others being bullied. However, they don’t emphasize how we are supposed to become an ally for others. 

K2BK uses songs, writing and interactive activities to help the younger students learn about each aspect of bullying, ranging from the types of bullying (i.e cyberbullying and physical bullying) to how students can make a difference in a bully victim’s life. 

The traditional way K2BK ends their sessions with kids is by playing a remix on the song I Got A Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas. They replace the lyrics “I got a feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a good night, that tonight’s gonna be a good night” with the phrase “I got a feeling, that it’s kool to be kind and we know now, that with allied power we’ll show how.” 

They then go on to explain how standing up for bully-victims and becoming “allies,”has the power to change someone’s life. K2BK has been changing  crucially educating students about bullying since the get-go, and is continuing to teach kids that it truly is Kool to be Kind.