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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Laura Demetrios dicussed why "Listen to Leslie" is important to local second graders Oct. 15 at Boardman Market Street elementary.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Laura and Diane Demetrios along with two of Lauras children read to students at Boardman Market Street elementary school for the annual "Listen to Leslie" anti bullying event.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Local second graders and their teachers at Market Street elementary gathered Oct. 15 to listen to author Diane Demtrios and her family read "Listen to Leslie" to support National Bullying Prevention month.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Principal Mike Masucci greeted Diane and Laura Demetrios at Poland Union's annual "Listen to Leslie" event on Oct. 18.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Diane and Laura Demetrios, along with Laura's daughter, read "Listen to Leslie" to second-graders at Poland Union Elementary School on Oct. 18.
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Neighbors | Jessica Harker.Laura Demetrios read "Listen to Leslie" to second-graders gathered at Poland Union Elementary School.
By JESSICA HARKER
October is national bullying prevention month, and local schools are taking up the celebration with the reading of an anti-bullying book to second-graders.
Local author Diane Demetrios wrote “Listen to Leslie,” a book that tells the story of a young girl who changes schools and battles a bully with understanding and inclusion.
“It’s great to be different; this book celebrates that,” said Laura Demetrios, Diane’s daughter-in-law who attended the events with her.
Leslie is named after Diane’s daughter who died of a drug overdose in 2013 at 31.
Diane said that she attributed her death partially to Leslie being bullied while she was young.
Diane also included the names of her grandchildren in the story, who attended the events along with their mother Laura and assisted with the reading.
Over a two-week period Laura and Diane traveled to local schools, including Austintown Elementary School, Poland Union Elementary and Boardman elementary schools, including Market Street and Stadium Drive.
“It’s a great program we have had coming here for many years,” said Poland Union principal Mike Masucci. “The Demetrios’ are Poland natives so its great to have them back for this important program.”
Laura and Diane gathered second-graders into groups to read the book aloud.
Periodically throughout the reading they would ask students if they have ever experienced what Leslie has.
“We want to encourage a positive thinking, that being different is not only okay but it should be celebrated,” Laura said.
After the reading, time allotting, the second-graders would then participate in a group activity where they would write down and share what makes them special.
Children would list various traits including “smart,” “artistic,” and “kind.”
“It’s so encouraging to watch children positively discuss themselves and their friends,” Diane said. “It’s why these programs are so important.”
Diane also donated copies of the books to the students, allowing each one to take a copy home to share with their families.
“‘Listen to Leslie’ is one of our larger anti-bullying events at AES,” Brittany Bueno, the community engagement specialist at the Austintown schools.
The reading is part of a larger program called “Lets Make a Difference” that Demetrios has been involved in for the last five years.
“We want to encourage positive speech and do what we can to help students learn how to take a stand against bullying,” Laura said.
“Listen to Leslie” is now available in 14 public libraries according to Diane.
“The book and the program only continue to grow,” Diane said. ”It’s incredible.”