News Release
Contact
Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
Director,
Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
New Castle, DE
19720
(302) 295-1164
laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
WilmU Sponsors Bullying Prevention Conference
Wilmington University today announced their sponsorship of the Delaware Bullying Prevention Association (DBPA) Conference, which will be held on Friday, October 26, from 8:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. The conference will provide expert information to schools about anti-bullying laws, tips for implementing and enforcing those laws and guidelines for conducting weekly classroom meetings on bullying prevention.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 160,000 children a day stay home from school in the U.S. out of fear of being bullied. “Students learn better in a safe environment,” said Coleen O’Connor, president of the Delaware Bullying Prevention Association. “Our goal is to ensure when our children leave in the morning, they are going to a school to receive an education where the adults recognize bullying, address it appropriately and teach empathy.”
In addition to supporting the targets, or victims, of bullying, O’Connor said it’s also important to address the issues of the bully. She said the conference will help educators identify why some children become bullies and assist them in changing their perceptions. Participants at the conference will be given a DVD that contains resources educators can bring back to their schools to practice anti-bullying strategies.
The DBPA was formed in conjunction with the Christiana Care Health System, Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Attorney General's office, Prevent Child Abuse Delaware and Delaware Department of Education.
For more information about the conference, contact O’Connor at 302-229-9634 or coleen.m.oconnor@wilmu.edu.