LOUDONVILLE — Bullies will find a new foe this fall when the Loudonville-Perrysville Exempted Village Schools introduce Hope Squad and Rachel’s Challenge.
Both programs are designed to combat bullying.
Hope Squad is a national program for grades four through 12 where squad members learn how to be a resource to their peers. That includes building relationships with new students, being a safe outlet to talk about issues, standing up to bullies and more.
“With The Hope Squad, we aim to create a culture where students look out for one another, feel safe being themselves, and know they’re not alone,” Superintendent Jennifer Allerding said in a press release.
The program, funded by Redbird Resilient, Loudonville-Perrysville School Foundation and an anonymous donor, cost $10,900 for the 2025-26 school year.
That money is distributed as
- $3,000 for the high school program
- $3,000 for the junior high program
- $2,500 for the elementary program
- $2,400 for a one-time training fee for Hope Squad coordinators
Hope Squad comprises a group of students, ideally representing 10% of the school body, led by an advisor from the school.
Liaison Danielle Clady will advise the C.E. Budd School squad and liaison Sammie Thiemens will lead the Loudonville High School squad.
They will attend training sessions Aug. 25 and 26. Then students will nominate their peers to be Hope Squad members and advisors will begin meeting with their squads bi-weekly.
Clady spearheaded the movement to implement Hope Squad. She said she started researching anti-bullying programs last spring while she was working with sixth graders who struggled with friendship issues.
The kids said it was always adults talking to them about how to deal with those issues, but they said they should be involved in resolving issues, too.
Clady found Hope Squad and thought it fit the needs for Loudonville-Perrysville Schools.
There are not of other schools nearby that have a program like this, Clady said.
“We’re hoping to be a leader.”
Thiemens became the Loudonville High School liaison in February because she wanted to tackle bullying, especially on social media, which was a problem last spring, she said.
So, Thiemens helped implement Rachel’s Promise to go hand-in-hand with Hope Squad.
Rachel’s Challenge is a national organization dedicated to Rachel Jay Scott’s mission to always be kind, especially to those who struggle with fitting in.
Scott was the first of 13 victims killed in the Columbine school shootings in 1999. After her death, students shared stories of her constant acts of kindness. In addition, her family shared her diary entries about the importance of being kind.
In November, an ambassador from Rachel’s Promise will deliver presentations to the elementary school and high school, Thiemens said. They will focus on the power of being kind to others.
Then there will be a separate community presentation where parents and community members can learn about the program.