Steve Seskin and Sid Krupkin conducting a songwriter's workshop at the Mack Center in Mooresville
January and February 2013
Cyber bullying Workshop for 5th grade students
- Barnett Elementary
- Lake Wylie Elementary
Parents Workshops
- Lake Wylie Elementary
- Selwyn Elementary
- Eastover Elementary
Professional Development Workshops
2012
"Love in Action: the Transformative Power of Nonviolence"
The Foundation for Respect Ability has been asked to be a part of The fifth annual Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, "Love in Action: the Transformative Power of Nonviolence," The conference will draw upon the lessons of nonviolent campaigns and their leaders who discovered a force that can change the world. Participants will explore the principles and learn the applications of nonviolence as taught by Gandhi, King, and many spiritual leaders who offered this alternative paradigm for resolving conflict, achieving justice, and building peace.
Workshop includes:
- Meditation for Peacemakers
- How to Start a Revolution
- Abundant Life and Unjust Prosperity: Violence and Non-Violence in the Marketplace
- For the Healing of the Nations
- Restorative Practices: Breaking Cycles of Violence and Retribution
- Racial Healing and Equity: The Power of Sharing Stories and Facilitating Non-Violent Dialogue
- Bringing the Peace Message to our Schools presented by the Foundation for Respect Ability
- Still Defending Creation: The Growing Threat of US Nuclear Weapons
- Reclaiming Nonviolence in the Islamic Tradition
- Manna and Mercy
- Civilian Diplomacy
- Compassionate Listening
October 1:
Steve Seskin Songwriters Workshop for Ranson Middle School, Charlotte
Imagine taking a songwriting class from a songwriter who has “made it.” You can! Steve Seskin has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,“ recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,“ winning NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills. Steve enjoys teaching; he is an insightful, helpful and charismatic teacher.
One of Steve's favorite jobs is writing songs with children. When he goes to schools as an Artist- in-Residence. Steve teaches children of all ages how to write songs — and in the process writes one with them.
Steve is a Board Member of Operation Respect in NYC and a facilitator and friend of the Foundation for Respect Ability here in Charlotte.
Link to news article from WBTV http://www.wbtv.com/story/19761094/school-zone-report
April 28 9:30- 3pm
Youth Empowerment Summit "The Best of Me is Yet To Be" presented by:
Youth Empowered to Bring Change, Inc (Y.E.T.B.C, Inc)
The Foundation for Respect Ability will be the Social Networking Speaker for the Summit discussing issues on Cyber bullying; what it is, what personal role do they play in it, and strategies for making positive changes for each individual and for society.
The Summit will also focus on effective communication skills, first impressions,health and wellness and social etiquette.
Foundation for Respect Ability is Sponsoring a Lunch and Learn on Cyber bullying on April 13
The Foundation for Respect Ability is sponsoring a “lunch and learn” on April 13 from 12:30- 2:00 pm to discuss strategies that parents and teens can do to help reduce cyber bullying, how community involvement is a crucial component in stopping this behavior, and what schools can do when it is brought to their attention.
Cyber bullying is a growing problem and affects both children and adults. According to the Cyber bullying Research Center over 80 percent of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most popular form of technology and a common medium for cyber bullying. Also about half of young people have experienced some form of cyber bullying, and 10 to 20 percent experience it regularly.
A renowned expert, Dr. Loucrecia Watson-Collins will lead the discussion. Dr. Watson-Collins research agenda is nationally recognized for proactive approaches to preventing bullying. She has conducted workshops all over the world to highlight the negative impact of bullying and is an expert in the area of cyber bullying. She has a Master’s of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in the teaching of Reading from the Mississippi State University. Her doctorate of Education is in Curriculum and Instruction with a cognate area in Educational Leadership. She is currently an educational leadership professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Loucrecia is also a Board Member with the Foundation for Respect Ability.
“A new frontier has emerged in how we connect, communicate and build bridges. The cyber world offers a new and unchartered frontier. Bullies have found a new haven in cyberspace. An old problem bullying, has found a new home in cyberspace. Join us as we discuss current trends in cyber bullying”, states Dr. Watson-Collins.
The Foundation for Respect Ability seeks to convert "bystanders" into "upstanders". We want people to be able to feel empowered and to be able to address bullying in all of its forms. The organizations mission is to facilitate opportunities for communication and to develop programs and strategies for helping parents, students, and educators as they deal with these issues. This is a first in a series of lunch and learns.
The Foundation for Respect Ability is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization based in Cornelius NC.Reservations required due to limited seating. The lunch and learn will be held in the Community Room at the Aquesta Bank 19510 Jetton Rd, Cornelius, NC. Lunch will be provided.
Food for the event donated by The Healthy Home Market in Davidson and Maddy's Fatty's in Morresville.
Please call Diane Benson at 704 438 9798 or email xbullying@gmail.com to reserve a seat.
February 21, 2012
Foundation for Respect Ability Offers a Free Introductory Anti- bullying Workshop to the Community.
The Foundation for Respect Ability offered a free introductory workshop on the tools and strategies to help deal with bullying in all its forms. Parents, teachers, school administrators and leaders of local organizations were invited to attend this all day workshop on February 21, 2012 from 9 am-3 pm in the Community Room at the Aquesta Bank 19510 Jetton Rd, Cornelius, NC.
This anti-bullying workshop is sponsored by the Foundation for Respect Ability whose mission is to create a kinder and gentler environment for our children to learn and grow. The workshop also lays the groundwork for the selection of pilot schools and organizations to help institute the Don’t Laugh at Me program. Participants will receive study guides and other material to help further their understanding and to compliment and facilitate other existing programs.
Workshop participants became familiar with:
- A working definition of bullying based on recent research.
- The statistics on bullying as they related to the need for action.
- The current focus on bullying from the perspective of social and emotional learning (SEL).
- Tools and strategies that are used in schools to deal with bullying and to promote a positive school climate and culture.
- The role of the Foundation for Respect Ability in efforts to reduce bullying.
- Other programs and approaches that reduce bullying.
- Participants will be able to access resources to support their efforts to reduce bullying.
- Participants will become aware of the importance of bystanders becoming allies, upstanders, in supporting the targets of bullying and in creating safe communities.
The workshop was conducted by Mark Weiss, Education Director for Operation Respect and Education Advisory Committee Member for the Foundation for Respect Ability. Mark is formerly a New York City principal for more than 20 years and in addition to working with schools throughout the United States in the area of social and emotional learning, Mark has also done this work in Hong Kong, Israel, the West Bank, Turkey and the Ukraine.
November 1, 2011
Foundation for Respect Ability Sponsors a “Respect for All” Workshop November 1,
9 am- 3pm
October 2, 2011 Songwriters Workshop for Children with Grammy Nominee Steve Seskin
The children wrote an amazing song in Steves workshop and then sang it for their friends and family! See it posted on UTube!
Foundation for Respect Ability Kicks Off Anti-Bullying Month in October with a Free Songwriters Workshop for 5th and 6th Grade Children
Sunday October 2
Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 North Main Street, Mooresville, NC 28117
Workshop from 12-4:30 (by invitation) Concert: Open to the public from 5 pm-6pm
The Foundation for Respect Ability invited Steve Seskin, a successful songwriter, to conduct a songwriter’s workshop for the areas 5th and 6th grade children. Steve has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year in 1999 as recorded by Mark Wills. While Steve is best known for writing hits, he is also a successful performer and recording artist.
Steve spends 50 to 75 days a year as an “Artist in Residence,” teaching children of all ages how to write songs and in the process writing one with the students he works with. The goal of this program is to instill a love of creative expression in the kids, as well as helping them create their own songs that speak to issues that affect the entire school community, such as bullying, respect, peer pressure, diversity and self-esteem. When students write their own song, they’re more apt to live by the words and quietly convince other students to do the same.
The children were nominated from the Charlotte and Iredell County schools, as well as on a first come first serve basis from the general public, and attended this free workshop from 12-4:30 and afterwords performed the song they wrote, to their families and friends, in the Auditorium of the Mack Center in Mooresville. Steve Seskin also conducted an hour long anti-bullying concert with the children.
“This is an excellent way to get children involved in helping to stop bullying in their schools and environments”, states Arlene Berkman, Board Chair and Founder of the Foundation. “We are thrilled to have Steve Seskin conduct this workshop and help us kick off Anti Bullying Month. Through song we can achieve a more tolerant and respectful environment for our children to grow up in.”
Watch it on UTube
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Some of Our Past Successful Workshops:
*August 18-19, 2011 Pineville Elementary School Staff Workshop
Foundation for Respect Ability Chooses Pineville Elementary as First Pilot School for the “Don’t Laugh At Me” Anti-Bullying Program
The first few days for teachers at the start of a new school year usually means getting their classroom set up and working on administrative tasks. Pineville Elementary School’s first two days for staff and teachers looked very different. The Foundation for Respect Ability, along with leaders from Operation Respect, conducted a two day staff and teacher training introducing the “Don’t Laugh at Me Program” (DLAM). Three concerts were also held for the students on their second day of school.
Pineville Elementary has been chosen as the foundation’s first pilot school based on a willingness to incorporate the DLAM program throughout the school year as well as total staff commitment. Operation Respect conducted the program with team leaders Mark Weiss, Director of Education for Operation Respect and Dr. Loucrecia Watson- Collins, who is on the staff of the University of Alabama, and is also known for her proactive approaches to prevent bullying.
“We are pleased to be chosen as the first pilot school by the Foundation for Respect Ability. Their support, lessons and strategies go beyond anti-bullying. They are working hand and hand withour school clientele to increase self-awareness among bothour students and staff which will strengthen our interpersonal relationships. The data is clear.. .when we feel good about ourselves, when we have the skills to work well withothers and when we teach the entire child both the effectiveness of teachers and students increases. We are grateful for their involvement in our school”, states Brian Doerer, Principal of Pineville Elementary.
“We at Operation Respect are so pleased that the Foundation for Respect Ability is supporting work in schools that will result in children feeling more connected, safe and cared for. Professor Loucrecia Collins and I were so pleased to work with the Pineville staff to work on and plan for the coming year. The Pineville staff is very special. They will be using music and the arts, research-based classroom activities, and school-wide events and celebrations and working with parents and the community to promote a positive environment for everyone at Pineville. It’s very exciting!”,Mark Weiss comments.
*“Train the Trainer” Workshop August 17,18 with Mark Weiss from Operation Respect
The Foundation for Respect Ability Launches School Year with an Anti-Bullying Workshop
The Foundation for Respect Ability is sponsoring its first “Train the Trainer Workshop” to a select few who have been chosen to participate in the first workshop of its kind in the Charlotte and Lake Norman area. It will be held on Wednesday August 17 from 9-3 at the Aquesta Bank in Cornelius.
Mark Weiss, Director of Education from Operation Respect, along with Dr. Loucrecia Watson- Collins, who is on the staff of the University of Alabama, and is also known for her proactive approaches to prevent bullying will be conducting the workshop on behalf of the foundation.
“The goal of the Train the Trainer workshop is to prepare participants to become more adept at offering presentations and workshops as well as at working with teachers and other school staff to respond to bullying and promote a positive school climate. Workshop participates will leave with enhanced skills based on their experiences as well as a training of trainers tool kit to continue their work. In addition, we will provide ongoing consultation to support them in their ongoing efforts in their schools and community organizations. We are thrilled to work with The Foundation for Respect Ability in achieving these goals”, states Mark Weiss.
*May 16, 2011 "Dont Laugh At Me" Introductory Workshop
Mark Weiss, Education Director of Operation Respect for the past 9 years and formerly a New York City Principal for more than 20 years conducts a "Don't Laugh At Me" workshop for school administrators and community leaders on May 16, sponsored by the Foundation for Respect Ability. In addition to working with schools throughout the United States, Mark has done this work in Hong Kong, Israel, the West Bank, Turkey and the Ukraine.
Some of the attendees comments:
"Every school needs this! Thanks for getting the word out and making room for us to attend. Terrific job!", Charter School Director
"I thought that all of the content and its delivery was relevant and supports my school vision.", Elementary School Principal
"The collaboration between schools and communities is powerful. I would help build those relationships so that Respect Ability becomes a consistent framework of thinking across all levels of children's lives." Sunday School Director
"I loved all aspects of the training- I was able to bring back some very valuable tools to my preschool setting and begin the foundation of educating the families and my faculty on this pressing issue affecting young children. ", Preschool Director
The Foundation for Respect Ability is currently conducting workshops for community leaders, parents and individual schools. Through donor and sponsorship contributions we can offer our work to the community at large. www.xbullying.org
The Foundation for Respect Ability will be holding additional workshops for educators, administrators and community leader in the future. To find out more information please call 704 438 9798 or email xbullying@gmail.com
