Annual School Safety Conference to target bullying at elementary schools

Teachers and administrators from Lynn and other area public school districts will attend the annual Essex County School Safety Conference Friday morning in Topsfield.The conference, sponsored by District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett and the Anti-Defamation League’s “A World Of Difference” Institute, will focus on preventing and responding to bullying and harassment in elementary schools.The hope is that school staff members can learn the psychology and behavior behind bullying, and learn ways to educate students and prevent problems from occurring in order to promote a productive and safe learning environment. A portion of the conference will also focus on teaching important life skills to early learners.The event will feature three speakers; John Oliver, the nationally recognized author of Lesson One: The ABC’s of Life, Dr. Caroline Watts, director of the Childhood Hospice Neighborhood Partnership Program, focusing on developmental and relational approaches to prevention and intervention services for children and youth, and Doug Cureton, a former K-12 music teacher in Rhode Island and Connecticut who is involved in education, training, and development of several educational organizations.It is strongly suggested that area superintendents, principals, assistant principals, guidance and adjustment councilors and classroom teachers at the elementary school level attend.The event will take place at the Topsfield Fair Grounds’ Coolidge Hall from 8 a.m. n 12:30 p.m. For more information call the Juvenile Justice Unit at 978-745-6610 ext. 5055, 5085 or 5086.