Operation Respect, the international award winning, anti-bullying organization (founded by Peter Yarrow) is returning to Pawling in October.
Thanks to the community support and success of the Peter Yarrow Family Concert produced by Pawling Public Radio last April, PPR will fund two additional workshops in the Pawling schools. Workshops will be conducted specifically for middle schoolers, and peer leaders in the high school. The workshops include a mini workshop for grade eight on October 22, during the public school’s Red Ribbon Week, and a more in depth workshop for student leaders at the Peer Leader retreat the weekend of October 26 and 27t at the Taconic Outdoor Education Center.
Mark Weiss, Educational Director of Operation Respect, will conduct both student sessions. “The middle school session will engage students in how we can create a community of upstanders — all of us working together to assure that everyone feels safe and cared for in our school. The leadership retreat will prepare student leaders to work with younger students to promote a positive climate in their school. Student leaders will learn how to use the Operation Respect Teacher Guide and music,” according to Mr. Weiss.
The year-long anti-bullying initiative begun by PPR last year, will reach its successful conclusion with this round of workshops. PPR funded through community support three professional development workshops for all of Pawling’s educators, administrators, and staff last fall, in response to “The Dignity for all Students” act, passed by New York State in July of 2012.
By raising funds and providing these valuable workshops, PPR was able to offer this year long initiative at no cost to Pawling’s residents and tax payers through its active Education Committee, chaired this year by PPR Board member, Amy Emke.
Pawling Public Radio is a not-for-profit public community educational radio station. All funds raised through community support are used to benefit Pawling and the lower Harlem Valley.
