MCC clinic on bullying open to teens, parents
McHenry County area middle school students, high school freshmen and their parents are invited to “Don't Kick Penguins, an event dedicated to the issue of bullying, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, in McHenry County College's commons area in Building B.
“Don't Kick Penguins is presented by Phi Theta Kappa student honor society at McHenry County College and Principled Minds, a nonprofit organization that develops documentary and educational programs aimed at preventing racism and discrimination.
The opening presentation will feature Nancy Walz, a local mother whose teenage son tragically committed suicide after being bullied.
Following the keynote talk, students will have an opportunity to choose two breakout sessions out of six different topics related to bullying. An adult facilitator will lead each session, allowing for open and safe discussion. Teen representatives will talk about their personal experiences with the topics and help answer questions.
Community organizations and social service agencies will be available to provide additional resources. All student participants will have a chance to win one of two iPod shuffles and contribute to a mobile art display that will contain collective poems, drawings, paintings and stories about bullying. The display will travel to various places around McHenry County to raise awareness of bullying in our society and to bring inspiration to victims.
Breakout sessions will feature six topics, including same sex relationship issues, featuring two individuals who will share their experiences of being bullied because of their lifestyle; healthy relationships, featuring an individual who will talk about being in a controlling relationship; ethnic and racial issues that will feature two individuals who will talk about being bullied because of their race; self-image will discuss how teenagers dress a certain way to fit in and will highlight a thrift fashion show; peer issues, focusing on the effects of behaviors used to fit into certain social groups; and electronic safety, which centers around the dangers of Facebook, sexting and other technological concerns. Parent seminars will run concurrently and will feature presentations on all six topics.
“The goal of the seminar is to provide a way for students to explore social, cultural, economic and sexual diversity in an open and safe environment, said Harold Rail, executive director of Principled Minds. “In the preteen years, it is crucial for these issues to be addressed in order for students to lead a healthy adulthood.
Cost is $10 per person and includes a T-shirt, entertainment and refreshments. For details or to register for the event, visit www.dontkickpenguins.org or e-mail Harold Rail at hprail@yahoo.com. Visit the Facebook page “Don't Kick Penguins for general information and discussions on some of the topics.