Anti-bullying campaign event scheduled Jan. 15

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Statistics show the number one form of violence in schools today is bullying.

One out of 10 school dropouts and 15 percent of school absences are directly related to repeated bullying and bullying fears respectively.

"It takes everybody to stop bullying," said Stephanie Reyes, Airman and Family Readiness Center chief. "It takes the whole community--parents, children, teachers and administrators working together."

As part of their community-wide effort to end bullying the A&FRC will host an anti-bullying conference here, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m.

The conference will include two break-out engagement sessions for students while parents hear from guest speaker Milton Carroll, a high-risk behavioral specialist.

The sessions are grouped for children ages 6-11 and 12-18. Children will have the opportunity to interact with resource officers from Bossier and Caddo Parish Schools.

"These sessions give students the chance to express their concerns and engage in open dialogue about their experiences with, or observing, bullying," said Sabrina Evans, School Liaison Officer. "While students are asking questions and posing their concerns, our resource officers are gathering vital information to combat bullying."

While students are in their sessions, parents will simultaneously hear from Carroll, a Bossier Parish resource officer and a representative from Security Forces.

"This is an educational event," said Evans. "It's a forum to ask questions, show what the local schools are doing to prevent bullying and show how parents can get involved. We are working in concert with local schools, raising parent involvement and community support."

Anyone with base access is invited to attend with their children.

For more information, contact the A&FRC at 318-456-8400.