Spring-Ford Parents Invited to Bullying Prevention Workshops

The following release was sent in to Patch by Jessica Lester, representing the Spring-Ford Area School District:

ROYERSFORD - Spring-Ford Area School District parents are invited to learn ways in which they can protect their children from bullying - whether it's online or in person - during special information sessions presented by the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, Inc. on Nov. 22 and 23.

The hour-long sessions - which will be offered at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on Nov. 22 and at 8 and 10 a.m. on Nov. 23 - are being offered at the in Rooms 276-278 to coincide with parent-teacher conferences being held at the school over those two days. Parents who don't have children at the 7th Grade Center, however, are still welcome to attend these free workshops.

The Victim Services Center is a non-profit agency that provides free and confidential support services to crime victims and their families and also offers prevention education and risk reduction programs. Presenters Theresa Cox, Community Education Programs Supervisor, Tara Hafele, Education Specialist, and Samantha Bragg, Child Abuse Prevention Coordinator, will answer some of the most commonly asked questions parents may have about bullying, such as: What is cyber bullying? What is in-person bullying? What are the laws on harassment in schools? What are the signs that my child is being harassed or bullied? What should I do if I suspect my child is being affected?

Resources and information regarding the bully, the bullied and the by-stander will also be presented. There will be an opportunity for questions to be answered after the information session. In addition, the school's Student Assistance Program team will provide a parent information table in the lobby of the 7th Grade Center to provide resources to parents.

"In order to successfully combat the bullying in schools, it helps to have families who support our efforts and know how to address the topic of bullying with their children," said Assistant Principal Dr. Orathia Bradley. "When children know what their parents and their schools expect of them, they are more likely to make the right decisions when confronted with these issues inside or outside of school."

Victim Services Center (VSC) is a non-profit located in Montgomery County that provides free and confidential comprehensive support services to crime victims, their families and significant others; prevention education and risk reduction programs, and training to the professionals who work with the victims of these crimes.

The 7th Grade Center is located at 833 South Lewis Road in Royersford.