Guidelines for Teachers, Sports Coaches and Community Leaders

Thank you for showing interest in YOU CAN SIT WITH ME

We have put together a list of recommendations and guidelines to assist you, however we appreciate that you will run the program the way in which suits your school, sports facility or community initiative.
 
We feel that not every child should have a wristband, this would cause a “fad” and the purpose will become lost. We have learnt from other schools that it seems to be effective in the years K-6 that each class has 5 wrist bands to give out and they are given out at the beginning of the week with the understanding that the children may not want to wear it every day.
 
We feel that children in leadership roles, peer support or class captains and vice captains should have access to the YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristbands. We feel that other children who show kindness and compassion should also be considered to be YOU CAN SIT WITH ME ambassadors. However, children who you feel could benefit from wearing the wristband, who are trying to change behaviours or who have earned a wristband should be given an opportunity to be a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME ambassador at the time you feel is appropriate.
 
What we feel what is important is that the children understand that if they wear a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband it is a commitment for the day. We need the children to understand that if they make this commitment they are not take the wristband off for the duration of the school day or time in which has been allocated to them to wear it.
 
It is important that the children think carefully prior to wearing the wristband. They need to consider the following points prior to wearing the wristband:
Am I having a good day today, do I feel strong enough to help others?
Am I happy for anyone of any race, gender, age or culture to sit with me today?
Am I too busy today to help other people because I have activities on at recess and lunchtime?
 
YOU CAN SIT WITH ME, Together we are changing lives

 

HOW DO WE BUY WRISTBANDS?

Simply order individual wristbands or you can purchase bulk quantity for your school, club or community via www.youcansitwithme.org/shop

 

HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE THE CAMPAIGN TO STUDENTS AND PARENTS?

We recommend these guidelines are shared verbally (see section below especially for children) with students by the Principal or Club Manager in Assembly and also reiterated by their class teacher or sports coach.

We strongly recommend these guidelines are either emailed home to parents or you may feel more appropriate to re-write into your own letterhead and explain how your school will run the program along with the other anti-bullying and positive behavior programs you have active at your school or club.

We suggest that parents are educated so everyone is working cohesively to support the message.

In the near future we will also have posters and stickers to display in key areas at your school or club.

 

CAN I PURCHASE THE WRISTBANDS FOR FUNDRAISING?

We do not sell the bands for fundraising purposes. We strongly feel that if every child wears a band that the message is lost and will become a fad that fades away. We don’t want that to happen as we have a long term vision for these 5 simple, beautiful words to be a part of all schools and clubs positive behavior and anti-bullying guidelines.

It is a very simple message with 5 simple words that can have a huge impact if used correctly.

It is worth noting that we have already partnered with The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and a portion of the profits from the sale of our wristbands goes to them to help support the amazing work they do to improve literacy and numeracy rates of children in some of Australia’s most isolated communities.

 

WHERE DO PROCEEDS GO?

We have partnered with the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and we donate a portion of profits to this great cause. The money goes directly to further improve the education of our Aboriginal and Refugee communities, something the children should be very proud of supporting. We are very excited and proud about this.

 

HOW DO WE KEEP IN TOUCH?

Please give us any feedback, we welcome your expertise. Please share with us what has and hasn’t worked in your school, community and sports clubs. We will be constantly updating this document with your support.

Email your feedback to sophie@youcansitwithme.org

Our goal is to be able to embed the YOU CAN SIT WITH ME campaign into all schools by the end of 2016 and with your help together we will help support fellow Australian children.

 

 

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME, together we can and we are changing lives.

 

Download Guidelines for Teachers

 

 

Guideline for children

WHAT IS YOU CAN SIT WITH ME?

You can sit with me is an anti-bullying initiative and kindness campaign to help strengthen our communities and stamp out bullying.

 

WHY WOULD SOMEONE WANT TO SIT WITH ME?

Maybe they are new to your school and don’t have anyone to sit with or maybe they are having a few troubles. By wearing the highly visible YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband they will know you are a person who welcomes them to sit with you – no questions asked.

By offering a hand of friendship in a time of need you will change that child’s life by allowing them to feel welcome as your friend.

By wearing the YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband you are also saying to the people in your school, sport club or community that you welcome any child of any age, race, religion or culture to sit with you.

Maybe someday you may be that new person or someone who needs a friend, look out for a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband and know there is always someone there for you.

 

WHAT DO I SAY IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SIT WITH ME?

It is very simple, you simply say “Hi” and tell them your name or if they look distressed you ask “Are you ok?”

At no point are you to counsel someone or attempt to fix their problems - if you are concerned or the child is very upset please tell an adult, so they can get the help the person needs.

By simply being a friend and giving a child someone to sit with you are making a huge difference to that child’s life.

 

HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?

If you feel like you would be a good person to wear a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband you need to let your teacher, community leader or sports coach know. They will then talk to you and arrange for you to be a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME ambassador. This may not be instant, you may need to go on a list and wait your turn.

 

WHAT DO I DO IF I DECIDE I DON’T WANT TO WEAR THE WRISTBAND ANYMORE?

If you decide to wear a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband for the day you will need to keep it on for the whole day as it is a commitment that you have made, you can’t simply take it off half way through the day and decide it is not for you.

Before making the decision to wear a wristband think to yourself:

Am I having a good day and do I feel strong enough to help others?

Am I happy for anyone of any race, age, gender or culture to sit with me?

Am I too busy to day to help other people because I have things to do at recess or lunch time?

There will be days when it doesn’t suit you to wear a wristband and that is ok, you can wear one on another day.

If you decide that you don’t want to wear the wristband again at the end of the day you simply let your teacher, community leader or coach know. If you would like to wear it again another day, then please let them know too.

 

HOW AM I HELPING OTHER AUSTRALIANS BY WEARING A YOU CAN SIT WITH ME WRISTBAND?

We have partnered with the Australian Numeracy and Literacy foundation and we donate profits to this great cause. The money will be used to further improve the education of our Aboriginal and refugee communities - something we are very excited about and something we are very proud of.

If you wear a YOU CAN SIT WITH ME wristband you should be proud too!

You are helping change children’s lives and strengthening communities.

 

 

Download Guidelines for Children

 

 

YOU CAN SIT WITH ME, together we can and we are changing lives.