Zora Ellis Junior High to Host Cyber Bullying Expert

On August 26th, Zora Ellis Junior High will host a nationally-recognized speaker from Washington, D.C.-based The Empower Program. The speaker, Shanterra McBride, will be presenting Unicel’s StandUp! program to 7-8 graders, teachers and administrators and parents and the community. StandUp! addresses the origins, implications and prevention of bullying and cyber bullying. For more information about StandUp!, please visit www.unicel.com/standup

What is cyber bullying?

While technology has certainly empowered young people today, it’s also opened the door to new forms of harassment. Cyber bullying is the use of technology such as the Internet – email, blogging, instant messaging, and social network sites like MySpace – and cell phones to degrade or humiliate another person or group. According to a 2005 study, more than 40% of middle school students reported being the victim of a recent cyber bully. Students are twice more likely to be bullied online than they are face to face.

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WHAT: The StandUp! program addresses the age-old problem of bullying and a new, particularly brutal form of bullying, cyber bullying, which occurs via cell phones and the Internet.

Throughout the school day on Tuesday, August 26th, Shanterra McBride of The Empower Program will be presenting to seventh-and eighth-graders as well as teachers and administrators.

Parents and community members are encouraged to attend a presentation at 6:00 that evening where they’ll learn what threats exist on the internet and how to prevent their child from being a cyber bullying victim.

WHO: Shanterra McBride, a national speaker on youth issues and deputy executive director of Washington, D.C.-based The Empower Program. Ms.McBride was named one of The Washingtonian’s “One of the 20 Young People to Watch in 2005 and Beyond.”

WHERE: Zora Ellis Junior High Lunchroom

WHEN: Tuesday, August 26th 6:00 PM


We look forward to seeing you at such an important and exciting event.