New York, NY, February 13, 2014… In recognition of “Respect for All Week” taking place in New York City public schools from February 10th to 14th, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) hosted a professional development session for local educators titled “Becoming an Ally: Interrupting Name-calling and Bullying.”
The session, which took place on Tuesday, February 11th at the ADL National Headquarters in Manhattan, equipped participants with resources and strategies to effectively tackle bullying in schools, while adhering to specific training requirements prescribed by New York State’s Dignity for All Students Act.
“Too many students are faced with the stress of bullying in schools,” said Evan Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. “Initiatives like those of A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute are vital to ensure that young people know how to act when they are being bullied, and we rely on our educators to spread this information and help stamp out hate among youth.”
Participants represented a variety of schools throughout the five boroughs and New Jersey, including Hyde Leadership Charter School in the Bronx, Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, Brooklyn Technical High School, High School of Computers and Technology in the Bronx, P.S. 4 The Duke Ellington School in Manhattan, P.S./M.S. 279 in the Bronx, and Freehold Township School District in New Jersey.
Since 2006, ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institutehas been a lead partner in the New York City Department of Education’s “Respect for All” initiative. This program is one of many available to schools throughout New York State and Northern New Jersey.
“I usually get overwhelmed around the topic of bullying,” said one participant. “You helped me realize there are things I can do to support my students that can make a difference. Thank you for that.”