'Bullying Awareness' presentation offered by OMC in Ferndale

An estimated 160,000 children miss school every day because they are afraid they will be attacked or intimidated by other students. Drs. J. H. Hoover and R. O. Oliver found that 25 percent of students in grades 4-8 experienced academic troubles as a result of bullying. Children who are bullied are five times more likely to be depressed and suicidal, and students who bully are more likely to fight, drink, and smoke than their non-bullying peers. Bullies are four times as likely to have three or more criminal convictions by age 24. In response to these findings, Ferndale Youth Assistance has sponsored Oakland Mediation Center to conduct a Bullying Awareness workshop to parents as well as school and community members. This workshop will focus on understanding bullying, and the myths and truths behind the behavior. It will speak to the impact bullying has on all youth. Also included in the workshop will be tips and skills for parents on how they can talk to their child and their child's school about fears over being bullied or bullying of others. The workshop will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Coolidge Intermediate School, 2521 Bermuda Street in Ferndale. Space is limited. Pre-register with Stephanie McGowan by calling (248) 586-8700 by Wednesday, Nov. 16. There is a fee of $5 per person payable to Ferndale Youth Assistance, 881 Pinecrest, Ferndale, 48220. To learn more about bullying prevention initiatives, contact Kenzi Bisbing, Youth Services manager, at (248) 338-4280, ext. 216, or kbisbing@mediation-omc.org. Published: Thu, Nov 10, 2011