UCF, KCSD Coalition to host screening of film, ‘Bully’ on Oct. 24
By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times
The Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated School District joint Community Coalition on Bullying will be offering a free screening of the movie ‘Bully’ on Oct. 24.
As bullying — in and out of local schools — becomes a greater focus of educators and parents, the Unionville-Chadds Ford and Kennett Consolidated School Districts are teaming up to work together with the Community Coalition on Bullying.
The group will be presenting a screening of the move “Bully” on Oct. 24 at the AMC Painter’s Crossing theater, followed by a community conversation on the topic on Oct. 29 at Unionville High School. The screening is free — paid for in part by various PTOs and the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation — but seating is limited (click here to check availability). Future screenings may occur once the movie is released on DVD, expected later this year.
Bullying — and awareness of it — is becoming an increasing topic of discussion in schools.
“We have to realize that it is a serious problem when any child is bullied regardless of the number,” said Kennett Consolidated School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Barry Tomasetti. “We strive to have all of our children view our schools as places that are safe and welcoming; every child deserves respect. Each year our building administrators work with the employees in their charge to develop educational opportunities for our students that promote respectful behaviors and actions.”
The two districts have increasingly worked together on various civic projects, in part because of so much interaction occurs between the students of the districts, as they share many local sports, scouting and other organizations. With the two high schools just a few miles apart on Route 82, what has been a traditional school rivalry is increasingly turning into a partnership on various community issues.
“We’re very excited about working with Kennett on this,” Unionville Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Sanville said.
Because the two districts are so intertwined, both superintendents agree that it makes sense to team up and work on issues, such as bullying, together.
“Treating others with respect is not only a school goal but we want that to be an ‘every day and every place’ practice,” Tomasetti said. “Working with our neighbors to the north enhances that practice. The districts’ proximity to each other engenders a rivalry that we want to remain healthy. To this end Dr. Sanville and I decided that we need to collaborate together and plan activities where our students, and communities, get together in a few non-competitive situations. This Coalition is one of these opportunities. The strong competitive rivalry in athletic and other co-curricular events will remain important and that is a good thing. It really fuels that extra school and community spirit.”
