FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Nicole Cody
609-695-3739, ext. 16
E-mail: ncody@peikids.org
October 12, 2011
PEI Kids is excited to announce a partnership with PNC and Trenton City Schools to prevent and address bullying in the district’s 16 elementary schools. This partnership will help these schools fulfill the mandates in the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” that was signed into legislation in January, and its provisions are now in full effect in the 2011-12 school year.
Earlier this year, the PNC Foundation awarded a generous grant to PEI Kids to provide the “No More Bullies, No More Victims” program in all third grade classrooms in Trenton as well as workshops for educators and administrators. In Mercer County, PEI Kids is the sole provider of the “No More Bullies, No More Victims” program that was created through the New Jersey Child Assault Project (NJ CAP). PEI Kids presents bullying and child assault prevention programming to more than 14,000 students in 60 schools in Mercer County. The agency has presented the “No More Bullies, No More Victims” program for over a decade and has been a partner with CAP for over 26 years.
PEI Kids arranged for staff from PNC to view the “No More Bullies, No More Victims” workshop in a third grade classroom at the Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Trenton on October 3 during New Jersey School’s “Week of Respect.” The new law designates during the first week of October, school districts must observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focusing on preventing harassment, intimidation, or bullying.
“This anti-bullying program is a terrific example of our shared focus with PEI Kids on supporting Trenton and children in the community,” said Kevin Tylus, the central New Jersey regional president of PNC Bank. “At a time when the economy is presenting its own unique challenges, supporting PEI Kids in helping Trenton community schoolchildren understand the importance of trust and respect could not be more important.”
As the legislation is very comprehensive, school communities are feeling the weight of duty to accomplish them. This is especially true because the legislation provides for no additional funding to the schools. “The new legislation is a strong admission to each of us that bullying of children is a serious public health issue,” said Penny Ettinger, Executive Director of PEI Kids “However, it is one piece of the solution. To make a systemic difference, it is important that the larger community participate in the solution. PNC’s commitment to join with PEI Kids and Trenton City Schools is a model for the way business can be part of the solution.”
The program takes a systemic approach to dealing with the bullying epidemic in schools today. The student workshops address issues surrounding the child who has been bullied, the bully, and witnesses to the harassment and intimidation. In addition to the student workshops, the program includes components for parents and educators, training these adults in appropriate intervention strategies. “Thanks to the generous contribution from the PNC Foundation, required anti-bullying staff trainings are being presented in each of the 16 elementary schools in the Trenton School District by PEI Kids’ prevention specialists,” said Melody Powell, PEI Kids’ Director of Prevention Services. Students are also given the opportunity to talk with PEI Kids’ prevention specialists and work with the school to handle any disclosures of abuse and bullying in a quick and effective manner to provide students needed safety. Ms. Powell also works with schools implementing the program in forming a committee comprised of students, staff, administration, and parents with the intent to further the de-escalation of bullying in the school.
For more information about PEI Kids and its array of programs and services, including school workshops; crisis counseling for child victims of sexual abuse; services for children and families in the foster care system; and intervention services for juvenile offenders, visit www.peikids.org.
The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. PNC has extended its signature cause, PNC Grow Up Great, by $250 million over 10 years to enhance early childhood education and school readiness. Learn more about PNC’s work in the community at http://www.pnccommunityinvolvement.com/.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured left to right: A third-grade classroom at the Joyce Kilmer Elementary School received a special visit from staff from PNC during a “No More Bullies, No More Victims” program presented by PEI Kids. PEI Kids received funding from PNC to present the program in all third grade classrooms in Trenton. The visit took place on October 3, the first day of the “Week of Respect” in New Jersey Schools. Students from the school created this banner in honor of the week, and two seventh graders who demonstrate a high level of respect for their fellow students were selected by their principal to hold the banner with staff from PEI Kids and PNC. Pictured left to right are Paula Bethea, Principal of Joyce Kilmer Elementary School in Trenton; 7th grader Shaquan Davis; PEI Kids’ Executive Director Penny Ettinger; PEI Kids’ Director of Prevention Services Melody Powell; Kevin Tylus, Central New Jersey Regional President of PNC Bank; and 7th grader Davion Smith-Hill
