Teaching and Learning Highlight: Students Aim to Prevent Bullying ‎

Students Claire Foley and Eliza Alden of the Ahern Student Leader Team were invited to Monday night’s School Committee meeting to reveal what they are doing to stop bullying and come up with solutions that help build a more encouraging team environment. They were joined by Guidance Counselor Kirsten Howden and intern Kristin Schank to highlight an after school club that builds and fosters leadership and community in an effort to create a positive school climate. A group of more than 20 student leaders were trained this fall at Bridgewater State University through the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) on several student social issues such as what causes bullying to happen in the first place, empowering bystanders, safety on the internet, and having the power to make a DIFFERENCE!

The Ahern Student Leader Team meets regularly afterschool for low ropes team building activities, discussions on leadership, advocacy projects, and self esteem building activities. The group will be attending Stand Up 2011, a leadership conference held at Northeastern University created to educate, motivate, and empower young people to stand up to Bullying. Their team environment makes the Ahern Middle School a great place to be.

Submitted by Amy Berdos, Ed.D, Assistant Superintendent of Schools