Bullying expert to visit Valley May 1

Rachel Simmons has rescheduled her visit to Hopewell Valley

   Author and bullying expert Rachel Simmons has rescheduled her visit to Hopewell Valley for May 1 and 2.
   Ms. Simmons, author of "Odd Girl Out," a look at adolescent female aggression, had originally planned to spend two days speaking with parents, staff and students in late February but was forced to cancel because of inclement weather.
   Her itinerary for the May visit will be the same as originally planned. She will speak to parents and community members at 7 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Central High School on May 1. Admission is free, courtesy of grants from the Hopewell Valley Education Foundation and the Timberlane Middle School PTO.
   The following morning, May 2, Ms. Simmons will meet with all staff from the middle and high schools. Later that day she will meet with girls in grades six-nine.
   All parents, especially those with adolescent or preadolescent girls, are encouraged to attend the free presentation May 1. In her book, Ms. Simmons contends that the incidence of female aggression is much more common than many adults believe. Part of the reason, she and others say, is that girls are far more subtle and sophisticated in the ways they bully one another, unlike boys who are frequently more physical in their aggression.
   While Ms. Simmons is meeting with female students on May 2, boys in grades six-eight will hear from Scott Bradley, head baseball coach at Princeton University. A former major league catcher for the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, Bradley will speak on team building and character.
   Following their visits with Ms. Simmons and Mr. Bradley, Timberlane students will work in small groups on activities related to the topic of bullying and the school’s ongoing Social Norms project.