By Erica Bildeau
If you were to ask various students and educators in the area about current issues they are facing in their schools, a majority would speak of at least some form of bullying. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, one out of every three school-aged children are bullied, which is roughly 13 million students each year.
Stemming from 2012 Fair Haven Union High School graduate and current Castleton State
College freshman Brian Ward’s success in creating an“Anti-Bullying Club” on at Castleton State College, a committee of students and staff recently planned and facilitated events to educate the Castleton community and local students on the importance of standing up against bullying.
The Bullying Awareness Conference took place from Tuesday April 30 until Thursday May 2, with each day offering a different event.
The conference began with an interactive workshop facilitated by Vermont native and educator Jerry Kreitzer. Students from Proctor High School, Fair Haven Union High School, Castleton State College and corresponding staff personnel gathered at the college where they had the opportunity to interac and consider how each
could help stop bullying at their own school.
Kreitzer had the students pair up with someone from a different school they did not previously know. Each pair was instructed to share their personal experiences with bullying and some of the concerns they had about tackling them. The pairs later joined another and formed small groups where they discussed their thoughts on why people bully, reasons why someone might be bullied and why bullying is still so prevalent.
The room that started out almost silent and full of students who were visibly uncomfortable while awaiting instruction from Kreitzer had emerged into a learning environment where knowledge and insight flowed from person to person in
a safe and comfortable manner.
“I was amazed at how much of an impact the workshop had on me. I wish more Castleton students went and heard the firsthand stories from the high school students,” said Castleton State College student Cody Tancreti.
One student, who will remain anonymous due to the nature of the information, provided insight on the bullying that she witnesses and experiences at her school. When Kreitzer asked the group about things that might help stop these occurrences, she said that making sure all teachers and aides take all students more serious when they report cases of bullying or concerns would help students who are being bullied feel more secure.
The adults in the room all shook their heads in agreement.
“I think that the teachers need to pay more attention in the hallways in between classes,” said another student, suggesting that these time periods are often when bullying frequently takes place.
One of the school officials agreed, but also reminded students that they each have the power to help by discouraging the bullying and refraining from being a bystander.
The students in attendance may not have been friends beforehand, but by the end of the discussions, everyone demonstrated respect and understanding for each other. Kreitzer concluded by encouraging each student or staff member to return to their schools and serve as an active influence on their peers by modeling positive behavior when it comes to dealing with bullying.
The Anti-Bullying Conference continued for two more days with a panel of members of the Castleton community who had been affected by bullying on Wednesday, May 1, and the showing of the “Bully” movie followed by a discussion on Thursday, May 2.
Members of the conference planning committee organized the events with the hopes of inspiring positive changes in the behavior of students at the college and surrounding grade schools.
Ward, the driving force behind the conference’s success, was pleased with how it went.
“I am excited about how much of a difference this can make and I hope to keep this going every year while I am a student at Castleton State College,” Ward said.
If you were to ask various students and educators in the area about current issues they are facing in their schools, a majority would speak of at least some form of bullying. According to the National Bullying Prevention Center, one out of every three school-aged children are bullied, which is roughly 13 million students each year.
Stemming from 2012 Fair Haven Union High School graduate and current Castleton State
College freshman Brian Ward’s success in creating an“Anti-Bullying Club” on at Castleton State College, a committee of students and staff recently planned and facilitated events to educate the Castleton community and local students on the importance of standing up against bullying.
The Bullying Awareness Conference took place from Tuesday April 30 until Thursday May 2, with each day offering a different event.
The conference began with an interactive workshop facilitated by Vermont native and educator Jerry Kreitzer. Students from Proctor High School, Fair Haven Union High School, Castleton State College and corresponding staff personnel gathered at the college where they had the opportunity to interac and consider how each
could help stop bullying at their own school.
Kreitzer had the students pair up with someone from a different school they did not previously know. Each pair was instructed to share their personal experiences with bullying and some of the concerns they had about tackling them. The pairs later joined another and formed small groups where they discussed their thoughts on why people bully, reasons why someone might be bullied and why bullying is still so prevalent.
The room that started out almost silent and full of students who were visibly uncomfortable while awaiting instruction from Kreitzer had emerged into a learning environment where knowledge and insight flowed from person to person in
a safe and comfortable manner.
“I was amazed at how much of an impact the workshop had on me. I wish more Castleton students went and heard the firsthand stories from the high school students,” said Castleton State College student Cody Tancreti.
One student, who will remain anonymous due to the nature of the information, provided insight on the bullying that she witnesses and experiences at her school. When Kreitzer asked the group about things that might help stop these occurrences, she said that making sure all teachers and aides take all students more serious when they report cases of bullying or concerns would help students who are being bullied feel more secure.
The adults in the room all shook their heads in agreement.
“I think that the teachers need to pay more attention in the hallways in between classes,” said another student, suggesting that these time periods are often when bullying frequently takes place.
One of the school officials agreed, but also reminded students that they each have the power to help by discouraging the bullying and refraining from being a bystander.
The students in attendance may not have been friends beforehand, but by the end of the discussions, everyone demonstrated respect and understanding for each other. Kreitzer concluded by encouraging each student or staff member to return to their schools and serve as an active influence on their peers by modeling positive behavior when it comes to dealing with bullying.
The Anti-Bullying Conference continued for two more days with a panel of members of the Castleton community who had been affected by bullying on Wednesday, May 1, and the showing of the “Bully” movie followed by a discussion on Thursday, May 2.
Members of the conference planning committee organized the events with the hopes of inspiring positive changes in the behavior of students at the college and surrounding grade schools.
Ward, the driving force behind the conference’s success, was pleased with how it went.
“I am excited about how much of a difference this can make and I hope to keep this going every year while I am a student at Castleton State College,” Ward said.
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