High School Anti-Bullying Club Presents at Hofstra

Long Beach High School’s Anti-Bullying Club (The ABC), a group of nearly 30 students dedicated to finding ways to resolve bullying in schools, were key presenters at last week’s Long Island Youth Safety Coalition Internet Safety and Bullying Prevention Conference at Hofstra University.

The seminal group, the first of its kind in Nassau County, performed a well-rehearsed, self-scripted dramatization during two separate breakout sessions that drew applause, and then genuine interest, from the audience of educators and school personnel. The students also recited their Ant-Bullying Pledge, a group-created constitution of sorts that has become their mantra.

Their performances were sandwiched by PowerPoint presentations from Dean of Students Phil Bruno and School Counselor Jaclyn Gallinaro, who are the club advisors.

During her presentation, Gallinaro explained the initiatives that Long Beach High School has put in place to help those who are being bullied. Among their first initiatives, they hung the Pillars of Character - trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship - all over the school, along with a copy of their Anti-Bullying Pledge, which was signed by them and many of their classmates.

“The future goal of our ABC (Anti-Bullying Club) website will be to have a place where students, faculty and members of the community can write in anonymously and tell us what is going on in school,” Gallinaro said.

“It’s about our students standing up and doing something about what they feel is wrong,” Bruno added. “Hopefully, by putting a value on these tools that they need to succeed in life, we will keep this ball rolling and get Long Beach in a place where we all believe it can be.”

LBHS Principal Dr. Gaurav Passi, Long Beach Police Officer Allan Alexandre and Inspector John Radin were also on hand. All three have been a presence and influence on the club as it evolved over the course of the year.

“The club members’ grassroots effort has had a tremendous impact on the climate and culture of our school,” Passi said. “They have empowered other students to act responsibly and not to be bystanders.”