Rushford News

Program teaches middle school students how to confront bullying

2/15/2010

Program teaches middle school students how to confront bullying

     MIDDLETOWN -- Research has shown that one in four students will be bullied during their schools years. For students at Keigin and Woodrow Wilson middle schools in Middletown, the “No Bully Zone” program is working to reduce that statistic.
     In September 2009, the  Middlesex County Community Foundation (MCCF) Council of Business Partners partnered with Rushford, one of the state’s leading providers of positive youth development and prevention services, to offer the program that teaches students how to identify, address and report incidents of bullying.
Student volunteers who participate in the program are trained as peer leaders by certified prevention staff and are taught anti-bullying, decision-making and communication skills, according to Sheryl Sprague, Rushford prevention manager.  "They are learning how to stop bullying before its occurs and to access help for their fellow students."
     According to Sprague the prevalence of bullying in the U.S. is staggering. “Research indicates that at least 25 percent of children will be affected by bullying at some point during their school years, and many of these children miss significant numbers of school days each year for fear of being bullied,” she said.
Children and youth who are bullied are more likely than other children to be depressed, lonely, anxious, have low self-esteem, feel unwell and think about suicide. A recent suicide of a teenage girl in Massachusetts has been linked to cyber-bullying.
     “Web sites like Facebook and YouTube have become the new breeding ground for bullying,” said Sprague. “Most parents and teachers are completely unaware of what is happening on these sites. We want students to understand that they are the most valuable resource we have for raising awareness of and preventing bullying.”
     Cynthia Clegg, president and CEO of MCCF, said the mission of the anti-bullying program resonated with members of the Council of Business Partners, many of whom were bullied growing up or have children who were bullied.
The council also wanted to do something to support their future workforce, said Clegg. “They wanted to focus on how to help young people build self esteem.”
     Marc Levin, president of Mallove's Jewelers and a member of the MCCF Council of Business Partners, said he and other local business leaders including Dave Director, president of Connecticut Lighting Centers, were shocked to learn that bullying can be a larger problem in schools than drugs or alcohol.
     “We wanted to support an initiative where we could have the most impact, and we have been hearing over and over again that bullying is a major issue,” said Director, a member of the Council of Business Partners and Rushford’s board of directors. Director said he was drawn to the train-the-trainer aspect of the “No Bully Zone” program and hopes the program can be replicated in other schools.
     The Council of Business Partners includes: John Sullivan of A&A Office Systems; Arlene Mazzotta and Laura Pedersen of A.R. Mazzotta Employment Specialists; Theodore Rossi, of American Hardwood Industries; William, Susan and Shawn McCann of BEST Cleaners; David Director, of Connecticut Lighting Centers; James Mahoney, of Mahoney Sabol & Co., LLP; Marc Levin, of Mallove's Jewelers; Colin Burr, of McCutcheon Burr & Sons; David Shulman of Suburban Stationers, Inc., and St. Mary’s Church in Portland and Congregation Adath Israel in Middletown, of the Interfaith Golf Open Tournament, Dan Zimmerman, TagTeam Business Partners, Nancy Raczka and David Gilbert, Direct Energy.
To support the program, please contact Cynthia Clegg, President & CEO, Middlesex County Community Foundation at 860-347-0025 or e-mail Cynthia@MiddlesexCountyCF.org
     For specific program information about the "No Bully Zone" program, contact Sheryl Sprague, Rushford Prevention Manager at 203-630-5357 or visit www.rushford.org.

2/2/2010
Rushford Receives Grant from Olga Sipolin Children's Fund
 previous

3/3/2010
Rushford Receives Community Award from Naugatuck Savings Bank
next