Pittsfield Public Safety Coordinates Screening of Bully, Townhall Meeting

Students, parents and members of the community are invited to a special town hall meeting and viewing of "Bully" in hopes of raising awareness about the impact of traditional and cyber bullying.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. to noon at Rave Motion Theater, 4100 Carpenter Rd., in Pittsfield Township. It is being put on by the Pittsfield Township Department of Public Safety's Crime Prevention Unit and sponsored by Rave Cinemas and Sam's Club.

Lee Hirsch's documentary is stark look at the impact of bullying, and a call to action to eradicate the problem, according to the filmmaker.

To obtain free tickets please send an email to colemanr@pittsfield-mi.gov, people will receive a reply and information to present in advance at the Rave Cinema ticket counter or the morning of May 5.

The event will have two panel discussions that will provide insight into the impact in the community, the Michigan legislation “Matt’s Safe School Law” signed in December 2011. Pittsfield Township officials, area legislators who  co-signed the law and educators will make up the first panel.

The second panel will be with students from elementary, middle and high school which will be asked to share their observations and concerns about “traditional bullying, physical, name calling, and cyber bullying, text, email, social networks” how it affects friendships and interactions.

After the movie, students and parents will have an opportunity to participate in a videotaping response (2 minutes) to the movie. They'll be asked:

1) What did you think of the movie?

2) What changes can you make with your friends, in school, faith community,
and respecting others?

There will be resource materials and information available to those in attendance. The event will be videotaped for broadcast, and students will need parents permission to participate.