Tom Thelen joins
students in rallying against bullying during an appearance at Lakeshore High
School in Michigan. Parents and other
interested community members are urged to join a nationally recognized
authority on bullying Monday evening, Jan. 22, in the Mansfield Senior High
School auditorium.
Tom Thelen
is founder of the Victimproof Bully Prevention Program, a curriculum that helps
kids speak up to bullying and become a positive influence at their schools.
He will
speak to freshmen students throughout the day on Monday, then lead a 7 p.m.
session for adults.
“It’s just as important for our parents and community to hear Tom’s message as well,” said Andrew Schiefer, assistant principal and director of Senior High’s freshman academy. “We are doing everything we can to eliminate bullying to create a safe environment for our students, but so much happens outside the walls of our building.
We want to be partners with our parents. Combining Tom’s message with follow-up and support from the community, we can do more to make our students feel safe. We want to send a message to our parents and students that we want to end bullying within our school entirely.”
Thelen, author of “Victimproof – The Student’s Guide to End Bullying,” draws on his own experience of being bullied. He has spoken at more than 500 schools, colleges and youth organizations and has been featured on national news media.
“If we’re ever going to reduce bullying, we have to give kids practical skills for how to handle it and how to get help,” Thelen said.
Superintendent Brian Garverick said Thelen’s message addresses an issue that is in the national spotlight.
“No school is immune to bullying but efforts to reduce and eliminate it are very important,” Garverick said. “Bullying disrupts the learning environment and can have a devastating impact on its victims. We are very glad to welcome Mr. Thelen to Mansfield City Schools.”