Valley Stream schools say no to bullying

Administrators and students at Memorial Junior High and North High School are working harder than ever to treat the age-old problem of bullying. Fighting it with new solutions, adolescents are taking a stand — one that was heard loud and clear during Anti-Bullying Week from March 28 to April 1. Each school held assemblies and activities that spread not just a captivating message against bullying, but an inspirational movement of tolerance and kindness.

Focus on cyber-bullying at Memorial

Sitting in the school’s gymnasium on March 31, more than 150 ninth-grade students learned first-hand that cyber-bullying — bullying over the Internet — is a dangerous issue that can have tragic effects. Nassau County police officer John Dockswell presented various facts and stories about the dangers and overwhelming prevalence of not only cyber-bullying, but sexting — the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photographs.

“Everything you do can come back to you online,” Dockswell said. “Do you know who you are talking to online?”

The rules of social media including websites like Facebook have changed — people can use technology for inappropriate actions and harassment, Dockswell noted. He discussed a growing trend of teens posting skin-exposing photos to victimize others through the computer or cell phone. Eighty-two percent of students, he said, do it to get attention, 63 percent to be cool, and another 55 percent to get the attention of the opposite sex.

Calling those pictures “digital tattoos,” he added that whatever is put out, stays out. And “bullying” actions aimed at hurting others, whether online or not, can result in deadly consequences. Dockswell cited several cases of teenagers who took their own lives after being bullied.

Dockswell urged students to think before they text or post. “If you don’t want to be at the other end of a text message, don’t do it to someone else,” he said. “Make appropriate decisions.”

Principal Anthony Mignella agreed. “Treat each other with respect as you want to be treated,” he said. To keep students informed, the school has a C.A.R.E. program, focusing on caring, acceptance, respect and empathy.

Several students also left the presentation with deeper perspectives about these issues. “It was interesting what they said about sexting,” said eighth grader Kayla Diedrick. “I did not know there were so many bad people in the world.”

Ninth grader Chazz Inniss said the week was very informative. “It was very relevant,” he said. “It made you realize that it could happen to you. It helped you have empathy for the people being bullied.”

A passionate push for acceptance at North

“I was able to beat the odds,” said 27-year-old Rohan Murphy, who came to speak to more than 100 students at North High on March 31 about overcoming obstacles and finding victory despite being looked at as different.

Murphy was born with deformed knee caps and soon had his legs amputated before he reached his teens. Spending much of his childhood in hospitals, he first felt abnormal when he started school. “I realized I was the only person who did not have legs,” he said.

Perhaps what is most striking about his story is that he turned that trial into triumph. With a natural passion for sports, Murphy began competitive wrestling after a special middle school gym teacher encouraged him. Starting young, he has since made incredible strides as an athlete — winning county and state honors before he entered Penn State University. He never worried about not being accepted or about bullying because he knew he was equal to everyone else.

“I wanted to be accepted for who I was,” he said. “The kids accepted me and they were nice.” He even asked the students if they would bully him and they shouted, “No!”

By the end, his message of acceptance and life accomplishments resonated with the students. “I think Mr. Murphy is an inspiration to all able-body people,” said seventh grader Jarred Times. “He showed that anything is possible and you can work hard.”

Times, along with seventh graders Gina Maniscalo and Daniel Sanky, actively participate in the school’s B.R.A.V.E (Believe in the right and value of everyone) anti-bullying program. Sanky said the program teaches students that everyone is created equal. “What bullying does is just try to bring people down,” he added.

Corey McManara, a teacher who leads the program, urges people to practice empathy. “Put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” he said, adding that students should get involved and help if they see someone being victimized.