Anti-Bullying Expert To Speak At Middle School

Brackman Middle School students, teachers and parents will all have the chance to attend presentations by an anti-bullying expert Thursday, school officials said.

Dr. Paula Rodriguez Rust, a sociologist and diversity specialist who has led workshops in schools, libraries and other institutions all over Ocean County through the library system, will offer two presentations on bullying to students during the school day, a professional development lecture to teachers after school and a 6:30 p.m. presentation to parents in the Brackman auditorium.

The programs will help kids, teachers and parents gain a better understanding of how bullying is defined and how to combat it, said Brackman school counselor Susan Stashkevetch. 

Tackling issues of bullying and aggression by talking to everyone involved in students’ lives is important, Stashkevetch said.

“We’re very committed to a wrap-around approach here at the school,” she said, so Brackman administrators and faculty are hoping lots of parents show up to join Rodriguez Rust’s discussion, which will touch on different types of bullying, factors that contribute to the phenomenon and ways to stop it from happening.

"If parents are involved, it gives them the chance to continue the discussion outside the classroom,” Stashkevetch said. “Parents will have an idea of what type of information is presented to their kids in school…and how to help their child and work with us in a positive way to deal with it.”