NORTH ROSE, N.Y. — To say that 2020 was a challenge for school kids and teachers is an understatement of epic proportions. When a Wayne County school district recently opened its doors for the start of school, it also welcomed a team from a nationally-acclaimed program. Its instructors are helping students overcome tough times.

Back to school means a return to something normal, something COVID-19 took away for much of the last year and a half.

What You Need To Know

  • Sweethearts & Heroes is a program geared toward students of all ages, which teaches students to take on bullying through empowerment and empathy

  • Sweethearts & Heroes travels to different school districts, educating students and staff about the impact of bullying

  • In a year when students lost so much, compassion goes a long way

At North Rose-Wolcott Elementary School, it’s something they’re trying to bring back.

“For some kids, before COVID, the school was the best place for them to feel comfortable,” said Pat Fish.

Fish is with Sweethearts & Heroes, a group which travels to different school districts, educating students and staff about the impact of bullying.  

“If we can do a little bit better job at listening to other people, maybe we can learn some more about them,” he said.

Sweethearts & Heroes is a program geared toward students of all ages, which teaches students to take on bullying through empowerment and empathy. It’s an issue that’s universal.

“What we tried to do as a building is give students that voice,” said Christie Graves, principal at NR-W elementary. “And give them those words like compassion and hope and care and support, give them the words and the actions to be those people for themselves.”

Like its name, the program focuses on being a hero. When asked for his title, Fish replied, “Super Hero.” Students are taught, through group exercises, that it’s OK to open up about their feelings.  

“My next question has to do with time travel,” Fish told a group of fourth graders. “Where are you going with your time machine, and why?"

Some students were unsure of where they’d like to go. Others said they’d like to go back and meet grandparents who have since passed.

“It wasn’t the greatest, but I would go back to when I had cancer,” said one student. “Because I don’t remember some of the things that happened, and I wish I could know what actually happened.”

“It can be tough to talk with your classmates about maybe somebody that you've lost,” said Fish. “And it can be really, really challenging. So I admire that bravery and that courage.”

In a year where students lost so much, compassion goes a long way.

“It’s just a piece of making it OK to be kind and supportive of each other,” said Graves. “Because we're all dealing with things, and the more we realize that, the more I think we can all connect.”