SILVER SPRING, MD (May 6, 2013)—Bullying has become an all too harsh reality for many of America’s school children and one of the most pressing issues parents and educators face today. National PTA and Discovery Education are proud to stand alongside a nation of concerned families in pledging to take concrete steps toward change. In hopes of furthering the conversation, a series of town halls will launch beginning this spring to discuss bullying prevention and intervention as well as mental health assistance with students, parents, educators and other community members across the nation.
Announcing anti-bullying and comprehensive school safety initiatives as a top priority on his agenda, President Obama has challenged the nation to work together in empowering our children, educators and communities to find common solutions. The National PTA alongside Discovery Education have developed these town halls as a way to bring together our communities to address bullying and mental health assistance in a meaningful response to President Obama’s call for action.
Town halls will take place across the country, making stops in Charlotte (May 9) and Cincinnati (June 20) and additional cities throughout the year. Of these, some of the town halls will focus on family-school partnerships while others will focus on student interventions. All conferences will feature a taped message from Vice President Joe Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden, in addition to an experienced panel of experts who will provide information on and solutions to bullying behaviors and on how to access mental health assistance. The town hall will promote interaction and discussion between the panel members and all attendees.
The Cincinnati town hall will be an important part of the 2013 National PTA Convention and Youth Summit this June. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Kari Byron, co-host of MythBusters, will be featured speakers at the town hall.
Discoveryeducation.com also will host a wide assortment of content that addresses contemporary issues students face around bullying.
"The students in our nation have a right to receive a high-quality education to prepare for their futures, and if they cannot go to school without fearing for their safety, they cannot exercise that right," said Bill Goodwyn, CEO, Discovery Education. "Discovery Education is proud to be working alongside the National PTA and our school district partners to engage educators, parents and students to help bring about real changes that keep our children safe both in their schools and the communities that they call home."
“Not every incident of bullying makes headlines, but each and every one is a significant disruption to a student’s learning and affects their social and emotional development,” said National PTA President Betsy Landers. “The National PTA is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Discovery Education and answer parents’ questions, promote promising strategies to address the problem, and mobilize students to take action.”
About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers, administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.
About Discovery Education
Discovery Education is the global leader in standards-based digital content for K-12, transforming teaching and learning with award-winning digital textbooks, multimedia content that supports the implementation of Common Core, professional development, assessment tools, and the largest professional learning community of its kind. Available in over half of all U.S. schools, community colleges and in 50 countries around the world, Discovery Education partners with districts, states and like-minded organizations to captivate students, empower teachers, and transform classrooms with customized solutions that accelerate academic achievement. Discovery Education is powered by Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the number one nonfiction media company in the world, Explore the future of education at www.discoveryeducation.com.