Agenda

While physical forms of bullying and violence gain the most attention, social and verbal bullying tend to have the most long-lasting effects on people. Problems related to quality of life, anxiety/depression, and physical health can result in the short term and can continue long after bullying episodes have passed. The impact goes beyond the victims. The effects on bystanders aware of bullying episodes can also linger. This presentation will highlight the research and reasoning underlying the influence that bullying can have on everyone aware of the events.

Slightly older girls who have experienced relational aggression as victims, bullies, or bystanders can have a powerful positive influence on younger women in the midst of such struggles. This presentation will describe an innovative program that prepares and then supervises high school and middle school girls who serve as mentors in an after-school program designed specifically to address relational aggression. Real girls will share how being a mentor has benefited them, and others.

At any age, theatre can be a powerful technique for encouraging expression of emotion, and problem solving, around bullying and relational aggression. Beginning with a theoretical explanation of theatre as a tool for emotional expression, this presentation will guide the audience through using traditional drama techniques with young women. With live demonstrations the speaker will highlight ways adults can use theatrical techniques to encourage cooperation, acceptance, trust, tolerance, and respect.

Planet Peace/Pride (with a panel of female students)
Lori Maxfield
Curriculum/Instructional Support Teacher
Mount Nittany Middle School, State College Area School District

Teenage girls discuss the State College Area School District's anti-bullying program, including strengths and weaknesses.

Girls attacking girls through written and verbal expression has been occurring since the beginning of time; what is different today is the medium used to express these thoughts. With a false sense of anonymity, girls are using social networking Web sites (blogs), text messaging, e-mail, and instant messaging (IMing) to communicate negative thoughts and feelings about other girls. Young girls are often unaware of the negative repercussions of these communications forever preserved in cyberspace, and they are shocked when parents, educators, and law enforcement access these destructive conversations. This session will provide prevention strategies and information about programs specifically designed to reduce female aggression.