Join Patch for a Special Presentation on School Bullying

Toward the end of the 2011-12 school year, I invited concerned Land O' Lakes community members to join me for roundtable discussions on school bullying, a

Now that Lutz Patch has launched, I would like to invite the two communities to join me as we begin a new series of meetings designed to promote awareness and give parents, teachers, caregivers and students the tools they need to help make changes that will keep our kids safe.

Learning Gate Community School in Lutz has kindly offered to host our first meeting of the 2012-13 school year, which will feature a presentation by Irene Patino, retired Pasco County teacher and creator of Bully Be Gone, a bullying and teen suicide prevention program.

Please join us from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 in Heron Hall at Learning Gate to hear Patino speak about engaging, empowering and encouraging passive bystanders—those who witness acts of bullying but do not intervene for a variety of reasons.

A social change community organizer from Sunrise of Pasco also will be on hand to discuss the links between childhood bullying and domestic violence.

Children are welcome, and refreshments will be provided. Please R.S.V.P. to keli.sipperley@patch.com.

See also:

School Bullying is a 'Silent Epidemic'

Are Pasco Schools Doing Enough to Prevent Bullying?