DYER BROOK, Maine — On Wednesday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m. Sgt. 1st Class Galen Thompson, Maine Army National Guard, will deliver an anti-bullying presentation to students of the Southern Aroostook High School.
To help reduce bullying and promote safer learning environments, Career Training Concepts Inc. (CTC) collaborated with nationally renowned subject matter experts at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to create H.E.A.R. – Helping Everyone Achieve Respect – a high quality, 50 minute anti-bullying presentation for high school students. The Maine Army National Guard, also a key partner, serves as the sponsor and facilitator of the presentation, which is now shared with students all across the state at no costs to schools.
Through the H.E.A.R. presentation, students explore the topic of bullying in relation to National Guard Core Values and learn ways to minimize bullying and strengthen respectful behavior in their schools.
According to findings from a survey conducted by CTC, slightly over 20 percent of high school students report being bullied on school property and 16 percent have experienced cyber bullying within the last 12 months. Bullying is a public health issue with serious consequences such as physical harm, emotional and social distress, and even death.
High schools involved with H.E.A.R. are invited to participate in the Harvard Graduate School of Education Making Caring Common Project Annual Survey. Results of the survey will inform school leaders about students’ perspectives on safety and respect in the school, as well as providing support in efforts to promote caring, responsible and empathetic behaviors among members of the learning community.
