Stop Bullying, Start with Prevention

Organizers hope two free events will help educate people about the dangers of bullying and how it can be stopped.

Connect for Respect events will be held this week in St. Petersburg and Clearwater. The campaign is part of an initiative launched by the National Parent Teacher Association this year. The organization is encouraging PTAs across the country to host events in their communities to help raise awareness about bullying.

"It’s important to educate the community because parents and community members play a pivotal role in stopping bullying where children and youth gather.  

Places like playgrounds, classrooms, online, texting and even social networking are all areas in which we need to increase awareness and encourage bullying prevention policies to be implemented," says Bonnie Choate, Carwise Middle School PTSA President and Co-Chair of Connect for Respect, PCCPTA.

Claims of bullying at have made headlines recently. Former student, 14 year-old Kenny Stoltman claims he was the victim of bullying, and he stabbed school resource last April to scare the kids who'd been picking on him. This week, the former student to stabbing Fridlund.

Carwise is taking a pro-active stance when it comes to bullying. The school has a page on its website dedicated to bullying prevention. Carwise also has several staff members trained in the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program 

If you would like to know more about preventing bullying, the free Connect for Respect event will be held two different days-

7 p.m. Friday Oct 7 at the  2465 Drew St , Clearwater (727) 791-2487

10:30 a.m. Satruday Oct. 8 at the  253 5th Ave N, Saint Petersburg (727) 822-3590