Seaford Middle School Raising Awareness of Bullying During November

When students walk through the halls of in the coming weeks, they will be faced with a blitz of reminders about the dangers and consequences of bullying and cyber bullying and what they can do to stop it.

Through the work of the club Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), students will promote anti-bullying with a flurry of posters, T-shirts. rubber bracelets and bookmarks conveying the message, “Take a stand, lend a hand: Stop Bullying.” The slogan, provided to the club by Positive Promotions, is the latest addition to those that already flank the cafeteria, library, gyms and other parts of the school, perpetuating the message throughout the school year.

“We talk about bullying a lot throughout the year, this anti-bullying campaign and activities are a way of spotlighting the issue on a continual basis over several weeks,” said Nancy Kaplan, Seaford Middle School social worker.

On Nov. 15, in the midst of the campaign, students for the first time will hear a powerful presentation by John Halligan, a father whose son committed suicide in 2003 after years of being victimized by bullying and cyber bullying. Halligan speaks to middle and high school students throughout the country about his son Ryan’s tragic experience to spread awareness and hopefully, save others enduring the same pain.

“Our experience has been and continues to be that bullying goes on through all the technology that is available to students,” Kaplan said.

After hearing his “incredibly powerful” presentation, Kaplan immediately booked Halligan and waited a year later for the next available date. She also secured the $2500 for the program through the generosity of the Seaford Wellness Council.

““His presentation puts a face behind the computer and shows that this boy was part of a family that was also deeply affected by bullying,” Kaplan said.

The program will be presented during the school day, Nov. 15, to sixth, seventh and eighth graders and then to parents from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at . Parents are encouraged to bring only their children of middle-school or high-school age because of the sensitive nature of the presentation.

Students will receive a description of the presentation beforehand, and teachers will receive a list of questions and activities that can be addressed in class after the program. Kaplan said the once a week advisory period at the end of the day will be expanded to two periods to be used for follow-up question-and answer-sessions, and to explore how to address the issue further.