One student said there was a lot of discussion of cyber bullying through the Internet and through the use of cell phone text messages.
Kara Yelinek, Matthew LaCoille, Susan Skaza and Adam Leecock, clockwise from top left, are four of the 30 Ludlow High School students who attended an anti-bulling workshop in Bridgewater.LUDLOW – Ludlow High School Assistant Principal Michael Halpin and school adjustment counselor Daniel Kelliher took 30 students from the high school to an anti-bullying workshop at the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State College.
Kara B. Yelinek, 16, a junior at Ludlow High School, said the students went to an assembly and a workshop to discuss the ways bullying happens and to make students more aware of the consequences of bullying.
Yelinek said there was a lot of discussion of cyber bullying through the Internet and through the use of cell phone text messages.
Sometimes students forward bullying text messages, Susan F. Skaza, 17, a senior at Ludlow High School, said.
The students also learned that there is little guarantee of privacy on Internet social networking sites, Skaza said.
Matthew S. LaCoille, 17, a junior at Ludlow High School, said he learned that text messages could constitute proof of bullying.
Adam Leecock, 17, a Ludlow High School senior, said more people are becoming aware that there may be repercussions to bullying, including disciplinary actions.
Yelinek said she does not think there is an overwhelming problem with bullying at Ludlow High School.
Some students who bully unintentionally may not know how seriously their criticisms of their friends will be taken, LaCoille said.
Yelinek said more school spirit and more student participation at athletic events and other events designed to bring the students together would be a way to reduce bullying.
A lot of students are apathetic toward high school activities, Yelinek said.
Yelinek and LaCoille are members of the Leading Lions at Ludlow High School, a group which tries to guide underclassmen and help freshmen adjust to high school.
If more students were involved in school activities, the student body would be more united and less likely to be divided into factions, the students said.
LaCoille said there are many athletic teams, honors classes and activities to get involved in at the high school for students who are interested.
The intent behind taking the students to the anti-bullying workshops is to try and improve the culture of the high school, Halpin said.
On Dec. 14 the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center will present an anti-bullying workshop at Ludlow High School for the entire student body.