Advocacy group to host anti-bullying class in Saugus

SAUGUS – Parents, teachers and school staff across the North Shore are invited to attend a free anti-bullying event at Lakeshore Learning on Route 1 in Saugus tomorrow.The event is being put on by the Melrose Alliance Against Violence and its Center for Education in Violence Prevention.?It’s more of a conversation on bullying and a chance for folks from the community ? to just come and talk about some of the most critical topics regarding bullying,” said Alice Wadley of the CEVP. “Our goal is to get some information out there.”The event is being held in honor of “No Name Calling Day,” a provision in Gov. Deval Patrick’s anti-bullying legislation signed in 2010.According to Wadley, topics that will be discussed Wednesday include, strategies for aiding the victim, getting schools involved, warning signs and knowing the difference between bullying and normal teasing.For Wadley, getting parents involved is critical when it comes to bullying prevention.?It cannot be just the school,” said Wadley. “Bullying is such a prevalent issue and it’s imperative for parent to be aware. We have to get parents, all school staff and students all on the same page.Dawn Hunt, Co-president of the Oaklandvale Elementary Parent Teacher Organization, said she’s hoping to attend Wednesday’s event.?I’d be curious to see what they have to say,” said Hunt. “It’s always good to listen to the different ways to deal with it because it happens in every grade level.”One of the main focuses on Wednesday will be cyberbullying, said Wadley.?We’re dealing more in the realm of cyberbullying than what we used to deal with, which was the bully on the playground,” said Wadley. “I will be focusing on strategies if your child or student is a victim and steps you can take to keep that from happening.”Wadley said she’ll be discussing Facebook and different applications that parents may not be aware of that help cyberbullying, like applications that allow people to make anonymous posting.?These are strategies that parents may not have in their back pocket and they’re going to walk away with them in their hands,” said Wadley. “Keep the computers out of the bedrooms. Keep the phones out of the bedrooms. That’s one of the primary dangers with cyberbullying is that it can go on 24-7. It doesn’t stop when you walk in the door. Parents think their child shuts the door and goes to bed, but really they’re up texting until to 2 a.m.”School Committee member Arthur Grabowski also stressed the importance of parent involvement, and said antibullying efforts start at home.?Parents have to teach their kids respect and they have to be looking over their kids’ shoulders to see what sites they’re going on and what they’re doing,” said Grabowski. “They have to regulate these phones too.” The event starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at Lakeshore Learning in the Trader Joe’s shopping center at 352 E. Broadway in Saugus.
Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].