Beyond Bullying: Creating a Culture of Respect
In Socially Inclusive Safe Schools
Keynote Presentation – In Search of Air: Growing Up Dyslexic
Lida Winfield, Vermont dancer, choreographer, spoken word artist and educator, will share the gift and heartache that
accompanied her struggle to read, which did not occur until her early twenties. Lida Winfield reaches diverse populations
nationally and internationally with her teaching. Since 2007, Lida has taught teachers how to use dance in the classroom as an
instructional tool through the Flynn Center Words Come Alive program. Lida leads workshops in arts-integration. Everyone will
attend this keynote presentation. Choices include follow-up workshops. For more info: www.lidawinfield.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Morning Workshops ( Indicate 1st and 2nd choices)
A. Building Community in Classrooms Through the Arts ( Silver Maple Ballroom)
Keynote presenter, Lida Winfield, Vermont dancer, choreographer, and spoken word artist
Focus: Creating a culture of trust and mutual respect when confronting issues around bullying.
 Build empathy between and among students
 Hands-on, interactive theater and dance activities
 Performing arts as a powerful tool for nurturing the imagination
B. Youth Activation: Students Changing School Culture
Presenters: Mike Frisbee, Director of Programs, Special Olympics Vermont
Students who are trained as Youth Activation Committee members at 4 Vermont schools
Focus: Building Inclusive Leadership and Empowering Others for Social Justice
 Enhance teamwork and team-building skills
 Develop personal leadership style and collaboration with others
 Empower others for social justice through Project UNIFY
C.
Digital Citizenship-Digital Literacy-Digital Judgment
Presenter: Meredith Swallow, Professional Development Coordinator, Tarrant Institute for Innovative
Education, former middle school and high school math teacher
Focus: Exploring digital judgment, identity, and citizenship, and how our virtual decisions and actions
influence our schools communities
 Understand digital literacy in an era of “infobesity”
 Consider digital footprints and personal influence on information
 Recognize digital decisions and the impact on community culture
 Share ideas and resources
D. Bullying, Harassment, Hazing Prevention for the World of Athletics
Presenter: Kara Toms, B.A. Colby College, M.Ed. Saint Michael’s College. Kara ‘s background as a
successful athlete in gymnastics, diving, track and field, rugby and ice hockey, as well as coaching
experience, gives her firsthand understanding of the pressures that student athletes face.
Focus: Prevention and intervention skills for real life situations on and off the playing field
 Gain a heightened awareness of bullying, harassment, and hazing in athletics
 Understand what bullying, harassment, and hazing mean and how to prevent them
 Apply prevention and intervention skills to real life situations on and off the field of play
E.
Mindfulness in Education
Presenter: Denise Casey, Program Director of Modern Mindfulness, artist and educator, with
Winooski Middle School students
Focus: To explore how the practice of mindfulness helps us build self-confidence and care for ourselves
and others
 What is mindfulness?
 What is the point of practicing mindfulness?
 How can we use mindfulness in stressful situations?
F.
Getting to Y: Youth Bringing Meaning to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
In the past six years, leadership teams at 20 Vermont middle schools have participated in this workshop.
Students learn to analyze their school’s survey, and become prevention advocates in shaping positive
health norms for the school.
Presenters: Erin Dezell, Assistant Director, UP for Learning, Pam Arnold, Principal, Main Street Middle
School, Montpelier, Student Ambassadors of the Main Street Middle School
Focus: Bringing meaning to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and identifying goals for changing school
culture
 Reflections of Main Street Middle School Student Ambassadors and Principal on the process used at
their school
 An overview of the Getting to Y initiative and how it can be used in your school
Lunchtime Activity: A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute: A Focus on Cyber-bullying
Presenters: Kathy Johnson, Senior Training Consultant for AWOD; Lindsey Halman, The Edge Academy and VAMLE Board will
facilitate Peer Leaders from Essex Middle School, Crossett Brook Middle School and Williston Central School in a whole-group
discussion: “Why Say It Online”/”Dear Cyber Ally.” Participants will examine and apply strategies for preventing and responding
to Cyber-bullying. This workshop is a result of Essex Middle School’s 2014 Action Plan.
Afternoon Workshops (Indicate 1st and 2nd choices)
G. Building Community in Classrooms Through the Arts ( Silver Maple Ballroom)
Keynote presenter, Lida Winfield, Vermont dancer, choreographer, and spoken word artist
Focus: Creating a culture of trust and mutual respect when confronting issues around bullying.
 Build empathy between and among students
 Hands-on, interactive theater and dance activities
 Performing arts as a powerful tool for nurturing the imagination
H. Youth Activation: Students Changing School Culture
Presenters: Mike Frisbee, Director of Programs, Special Olympics Vermont
Students who are trained as Youth Activation Committee members at 4 Vermont schools
Focus: Building Inclusive Leadership and Empowering Others for Social Justice
 Enhance teamwork and team-building skills
 Develop personal leadership style and collaboration with others
 Empower others for social justice through Project UNIFY
I.
Digital Citizenship- Digital Literacy-Digital Judgment
Presenter: Meredith Swallow, Professional Development Coordinator, Tarrant Institute for Innovative
Education, former middle school and high school math teacher
Focus: Exploring digital judgment, identity, and citizenship, and how our virtual decisions and actions
influence our schools communities
 Understand digital literacy in an era of “infobesity”
 Consider digital footprints and personal influence on information
 Recognize digital decisions and the impact on community culture
 Share ideas and resources
J.
Bullying, Harassment, Hazing Prevention for the World of Athletics
Presenter: Kara Toms, B.A. Colby College, M.Ed. Saint Michael’s College. Kara ‘s background as a
successful athlete in gymnastics, diving, track and field, rugby and ice hockey, as well as coaching
experience, gives her firsthand understanding of the pressures that student athletes face. She
coordinates Second Growth’s Coaching for Captains program.
Focus: Prevention and intervention skills for real life situations on and off the playing field
 Gain a heightened awareness of bullying, harassment, and hazing in athletics
 Understand the meaning of bullying, harassment, and hazing and how to prevent them.
K. Bushintai-Do
Bushintai-Do is a martial art created for public schools by local educator and professional martial artist,
David Quinlan. It is both an on-line movement program for classrooms, and a traditional martial art that is
taught at the dojo.
Presenter: David Quinlan, Martial Way Self-Defense Center; Gina Krol, Winooski Middle School teacher;
Cheryl Brosnan, Winooski Middle School Guidance Counselor, and 4 students
Focus: To learn aspects of Bushintai-Do
 Learn how Bushintai-Do builds physical fitness and perseverance
 Learn how Bushintai-Do develops respect for self and others and self-control
L.
Rumor Clinic
Stop the Rumors! A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute
A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute trains students as peer leaders to advocate for prevention of bias,
bullying, and harassment discrimination in schools nationally.
Presenters: Student Peer Leaders from 3 Vermont schools that have been trained by AWOD Institute
Focus: How to stop rumors, which are often the source of hurtful behavior in schools
 Provides tools students can use to intervene in the rumor mill and create a culture of respect
Wrapping Up: All return to the Silver Maple Ballroom
How to Create an Action Plan for Changing School Culture in Your School
Presenters: Barre City Elemenary Students with Michele Cote, Principal and Dawn Poitras, Student Assistance
Counselor. Barre City Elementary School team developed a multi-faceted Action Plan.
Beyond Kindness: A School-wide Campaign to Stomp Out Bullying! This plan includes a welcome committee for
all new students, and a video, developed with The Alternate Route Band of Newtown, CT.