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Second Annual Bullying, Defiant Groups Symposium Set for Feb. 8

Wed, 01/09/2013 - 11:32am | By: Vanessa Molden

The Office of Professional Development and Educational Outreach at The University of Southern Mississippi will host the Second Annual Safe Schools and Communities: Building Resistance and Resiliency to Violence, Defiant Groups and Bullying Symposium on Feb. 8 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Miss.

The symposium will benefit teachers, school administrators, school psychologists, social workers, school counselors, juvenile court personnel, law enforcement officers and individuals who work with youth.

The symposium will feature a session, “Responding to Bullying and Developing Anti-bullying Individual Intervention Plans,” led by Dr. Katia Petersen, nationally-recognized training expert and author in school improvement strategies and integration of social-emotional and academic learning.

Through role-playing, simulations, small group discussions and other activities, attendees will review how they can support victimized students cope with bullying and help bullies change their negative behaviors. Individual plans to successfully implement a bully prevention program will be created by the end of the session.

Southern Miss psychology professor, Dr. Christopher Barry, will conduct a session on “Bullies and Their Self-Perceptions: Good, Bad, or Ugly.”

Other symposiumtopics include: “Creating Safer Schools for LGBTQ Youth,” “Basic Gang Awareness,” and “School Safety: The Role of Campus Crime Stoppers.”

The symposium is approved for continuing education units for educators (.7), school administrators (five) and psychologists (five). Application for social workers is pending.

The cost to attend is $125, if paid before Jan. 25. After that date, the cost is $150. To register call 601.266.4186 or go online at www.usm.edu/training.