LISBON MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDED DRIVE FOR EDUCATION GRANT

For Immediate Release
Thursday, June 07, 2012
FMI Contact
Monica Millhime
Community Resources
Lisbon School Department
754.0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org

Members of the Philip W. Sugg Middle School (PWS) anti-bullying group attended an award’s ceremony on Tuesday, May 15 at Berlin City Honda in South Portland. Students accepted a check for $3,500 awarded as a grant by the Berlin City Auto Group’s Drive for Education award project. Pictured (l-r) back row: Emily Cleavland, Cierra Miller, Alyssa Hall, Andrew Balser, Jeremy Pelliegrini, Bryant Hall, Hunter Pesce and Jacob Fusaro. Middle row: Silas Crosby, Devin Libby, Mike Schlotterbeck, Tanton Mattson, Tyler Halls, Ryley Austin, DJ James, and Alex Couillard. Front row: Olivia Botting, Chris Norman, Jasmin Le, Alesha Bard, and Selena Cordner. Jacob Fusaro spoke on behalf of the committee thanking Berlin City Auto Group for recognizing their passion for making a difference in their school. PWS Assistant Principal Tom Landberg and Anti-Bullying group advisor, Joanne Campbell, accompanied students to the awards event.

Lisbon – The combined efforts of students working together at Philip W. Sugg Middle School to make their school a safe environment was a successful project for members of the Anti-Bullying group. A group of seventh grade students worked throughout the school year to create an awareness of bullying at school. The group met each morning, brainstorming and discussing issues at hand that directly affect the school and its surroundings. Students recognized the problem, developed and administered a school-wide survey addressing bullying. Results of the survey were shared with the student body and the Lisbon School Department School Committee.

Students were invited to participate in a grant request for the Berlin City Auto Group Drive for Education award project. “It was clear to me, after meeting with PWS Principal Kate Race and the group’s advisor, Joanne Campbell, students needed to tell their story about their concerns for making their school a bully-free zone,” shares Monica Millhime, Lisbon School District’s grant writer. “The grant provides additional resources in the school and various places surrounding the building with cameras for additional surveillance to address bullying as it happens, and to discourage acts of aggression toward fellow students.” “Students produced a DVD, with assistance from their advisor Joanne Campbell, re-enacting the hot spots for bullying in the classroom, hallways, on the bus and outside the building,” commented Millhime.

Members of the Anti-Bullying group were Alyssa Hall, Jeremy Pelligrini, Olivia Botting, Hunter Pesce, Ryley Austin, Emily Cleavland, Tanton Mattson, Chris Normand, Silas Crosby, Mikey Yoke, Mikey Schlotterbeck, Jacob Fusaro, Jasmin Le, Selena Cordner, Devin Libby, Andrew Balser, Kyle Welsh, Alex Couillard, Cierra Miller, Bryant Hall, Alesha Bard, Tyler Halls and DJ James. “There are no words to express the time, commitment and the positive attitudes that went into the project this year,” shares Campbell. “We are all very proud of them for their hard work and commitment to this project.”

“The Drive for Education foundation was created by the grass roots efforts by employees of the Berlin City Auto Group,” shares Michael McPherson. “In 2011 Berlin City Auto Group distributed checks totaling just over $100,000 to schools in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Berlin City is dedicated to the enrichment, education and growth opportunities for the children in our communities. Serving the community for more than 30 years, Berlin City has made a monetary commitment to support educators, schools and young people.”

FMI information on programs in the Lisbon School Department call 754-0021 or email mmillhime@lisbonschoolsme.org. Find us on Facebook at Community Resource News in Lisbon Schools.