For some kids, it can be the most difficult part of the school day. We’re talking about lunch time, and it’s especially hard if you have to eat by yourself. To help promote inclusion in middle schools, Managed Health Services (MHS) is hosting a bullying prevention initiative at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Valparaiso on Friday, Feb. 9th, at 10:00 a.m. CST. MHS is sponsoring an assembly in honor of National No One Eats Alone Day, created by the non-profit Beyond Differences. More than 600 students will attend a bullying prevention program in the school auditorium performed by Young Actors Theatre. The students will learn about social isolation and the negative impact it can have on a student’s health and academic performance. After the program, students will put the lesson into action by sitting with students at lunch who they don’t know, or who may feel left out. They will be given ice breaker topics to discuss to highlight their similarities. School administrators and MHS leadership will also join the students for lunch. Thomas Jefferson Middle School is one of more than 2,000 schools across the country that will celebrate No One Eats Alone Day. The initiative will reach more than 1 million students. No One Eats Alone is sponsored by the Centene Charitable Foundation. For more information, please visit nooneeatsalone.org.