WARREN Program aims to stop bullies

More than 100 teachers, counselors and child-care workers gathered for the workshop.
By ROSA MERCADO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- Lynne Hurdle-Price remembers being bullied as a child. It affected her so much she decided to devote herself to educating others about conflict resolution.
"We need to recognize that it's a serious problem in our society, and I'm glad to be able to not just complain, but actually help people," Hurdle-Price said.
More than 100 local teachers, counselors and child-care workers gathered at Warren JFK High School for a workshop called "Don't Laugh At Me" to learn ways to prevent bullying in schools.
Programs
Hurdle-Price, an adjunct professor at New York University and a New York City resident, has implemented training programs and conflict resolution programs in more than 100 schools in New York and New Jersey.
A second speaker was Dr. Janet Patti, an associate professor and coordinator of the educational administration and supervision program at Hunter College in New York. She is an author in the field of conflict resolution and educational leadership.
They said verbal ridicule and harassment can be as devastating as physical abuse.
"We deal with conflict resolution skills, helping young people discuss feelings, building self-esteem and self-worth," Hurdle-Price explained. "We're doing work that helps all young people learn these skills and be able to use them to empower themselves."
A tremendous change in students' behavior in a California school prompted Patti to write "Waging Peace in Our Schools" in 1996.
What happened
"I saw an entire school population shift from a place where gangs, bullies, negative behavior and put-downs were tolerated, to a whole culture that said, 'We don't do this here,' " Patti said.
The "Don't Laugh At Me" curriculum was conceived and produced by Peter Yarrow of the singing group Peter, Paul and Mary, and Linda Lantieri, who worked with Yarrow.
The name of the program came from the song "Don't Laugh At Me," which Yarrow recorded and used as part of the program.The curriculum is used in schools and social service organizations nationwide.
Cindy Donald of Warren, a workshop participant, believes that parents play a major role in how bullying affects their children.
"My 9-year-old daughter's been bullied," Donald said,"so if there's any way I can try to help her through something I've learned here, that will help."