Bullying can be a tough situation for any educator, student and family to handle. Words such as ‘You’re pathetic and mean nothing’ and ‘No one likes you at school,’ whether posted on social media or said in person, can damage a young person’s psyche.
We are proud to support and participate in the upcoming Out of Bounds program at the PACE Center on Feb. 3, 2016. Together as a community we can support how youth can react and combat bullying, especially when the bullying is done via social media.
The Town of Parker and Parker Arts, along with over a dozen different community outlets are coming together to offer families their expertise and resources when dealing with cyber bullying. When the doors open at 5 p.m., vendors will be set up in the main concourse area of the PACE Center prior to that evening’s theater performance of Out of Bounds, which tells the story of cyber bullying from the point of view of 14-year-old Amy and her peers. This opens a discussion about bullying, friendship, past mistakes, and forgiveness. New to school and trying to make friends, Amy responds to a dare and posts an inappropriate picture of herself online. Soon everyone in the school has seen it and no one is going to let her forget it. Out of Bounds explores the vicious world of cyber-bullying and the complicated choices young people make when navigating the politics of friendship.
Before the performance, Kristy Arellano will share her family’s personal experiences with cyber bullying and how it has forever changed their lives. After the play, a small panel discussion allows families to ask questions on the topic. Arellano, along with Dr. Scott Ross, an expert on bullying from the Colorado Department of Education, and Ann Walton with the Douglas County School District Student Wellness Department, will engage with and answer audience questions. At the conclusion of the panel discussion, families can once again visit our booth and other community resources to get advice on bullying, counseling and suicide prevention.
The Out of Bounds performance will help us start the anti-bullying conversation, and the Town of Parker feels very strongly about the importance of this event. Education is key to prevention, so please join our organization and participate in this wonderful community-minded program.
Tickets for the evening performance are $12 for adults, and FREE for ages 18 and under. Seats still must be reserved by calling 303.805.6800, or by going online to www.ParkerArts.org.
The following are the current resource participants in the Feb. 3, 2016 Out of Bounds Program:
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Colorado Children's Hospital: Pediatric Mental Health Institute of Colorado
- Colorado Department of Education
- Douglas County Libraries
- Douglas County Schools
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office – Youth Education and Safety in Schools (Y.E.S.S.)
- Douglas County Youth Initiative
- Dragon Heart Marshall Arts
- Elbert County Coalition Community Resource Center
- Elbert County Sheriff’s Department
- Juvenile Assessment Center
- Kelli Korn Counseling
- Parker Pediatrics
- Parker Police Department
- Pines and Plains Library – Elizabeth, CO
- Southeast Christian Church – Parker, CO