Spring-Ford Schools Proactive In Anti-Bullying Efforts

ROYERSFORD, PA — In commemoration of National Bullying Prevention Month in October, the Spring-Ford Area School District is one of several local districts getting students involved in anti-bullying activities.

At Spring-Ford, several different clubs have organized events for this month. Here's a quick run down of what's going on, according to the district:

• Student Assistance Program (SAP): The Student Assistance Program (SAP) is comprised of teachers, guidance counselors, the school nurse, a building administrator, and outside consultants. All SAP team members have received training that enables them to identify and intervene with students who are "at-risk" for substance abuse, depression, suicide, eating disorders, and/or other emotional concerns.
• RAM Watch: Often times, students are the ones who really know if a friend or peer is in trouble, and who may be in need of help. RAM Watch was designed to give students a safe and anonymous way to watch out for those friends.
• Spring-Ford Resiliency: Student and staff resiliency efforts began in our district eight years ago. Resiliency Club members focusing on leadership, community, and social-emotional well-being. They learn how to develop respect, responsibility and create healthy relationships. These students offer multiple, day long Unity Days to their peers building a stronger, more resilient student body.
• Aevdium Club: Aevidum is a non-profit organization that empowers youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other issues facing teens. The word Aevidum, which means "I've got your back," was created by students after a classmate died by suicide. Aevidum inspires schools and communities to adopt cultures of care and advocacy, encouraging all members to have their friends' backs. Aevidum exists in schools and colleges across the nation.
• Many Spring-Ford schools also plan and participate in school-wide Pro-Social events. These events are more than just school pep-rallies and team building activities. They instill positive social skills, which help kids stay active in school, out of trouble and find success as they continue through life.

Few in the local education community can forget the 2017 tragedy at Spring-Ford, when a freshman student who had been bullied online took her own life.

But the problem goes far beyond the suburbs of Philadelphia.

National statistics vary, but an aggregate of 80 different studies on bullying suggests one in five American students between 12 and 18 is bullied at some point during their middle or high school years.

The studies cited by the PACER Center, which established National Bullying Prevention Month, show that 15 percent of kids surveyed report being cyberbullied, while around 35 percent of students had been bullied in more "traditional," in-person ways.

Among the marquee National Bullying Prevention Month activities is Unity Day, observed on Wednesday, Oct. 24, when everyone is encouraged to wear and show orange to send a message that no child should ever experience bullying.

"Orange provides a powerful, visually compelling expression of solidarity," Paula Goldberg, the executive director of the PACER Center, said in a statement. "Whether it's hundreds of individuals at a school wearing orange, store owners offering orange products or a community changing a landmark to orange, the vibrant statement becomes a conversation starter, sending the supportive, universal message that bullying is never acceptable behavior."

Here's more about Unity Day: