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MANVILLE: Council applauds kids’ anti-bullying efforts

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
Photo by Mary Ellen ZangaraManville public school students pose with Mayor Angelo Corradino (back row, right of center), anti-bullying specialist Jackie Russo (right) and Schools Superintendent Dr. Johanna Ruberto (left of mayor).
Council learns about anti-bullying efforts
   Mary Ellen ZangaraSpecial Writer
   Students from the Manville School District were honored at the May 14 Borough Council meeting for their participation in the harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) symposium held Thursday, March 22, at the Alexander Batcho Intermediate School Media Center.
   Mayor Angelo Corradino said the students put on skits for different grades about what bullying entails.
   ”It is a lot more than somebody going up and saying, ‘hey man, I don’t like you.’ Bullying can be anything, and they showed us what it was all about,” said the mayor. “It is not easy for them to get in front of not only their parents, teachers, peers and guests and to put on a skit like that, and they were fantastic. I thank you for that.”
   Each student was called up and presented a certificate of appreciation for their participation.
   According to Jackie Russo, one of the three anti-bullying specialists in the school district (along with Laurie Corizzo from Weston and Roosevelt schools and Rachel Brendler from ABIS), the symposium was “to maintain communication and solidify information related to the HIB law with the external community; to heighten the awareness of HIB behavior; to offer our students an opportunity to take ownership for the work they have accomplished within their schools regarding HIB; and to provide relevant information regarding the Manville school district.”
   Ms. Russo said this was the first type of presentation offered to the students.
   ”It was an excellent and worthwhile event for both the students and those who attended,” she said.
   The symposium began with an overview from Dr. Johanna Ruberto, the superintendent of schools, followed by information shared by Dr. Barbara Popp, the district’s anti-bullying coordinator. Each of the anti-bullying specialists shared how the law’s importance had been conveyed to their students.
   Students from Roosevelt, ABIS and the high school gave their presentations, and Roosevelt students Isabella Sanchez and Marina Saburova presented the anti-bullying website they created. They also talked about how ABIS peer leaders performed three different anti-bullying skits for their schoolmates at ABIS.
   High school students from the school-based anti-bullying club presented three different public service announcements they created.
   The students involved in the symposium included Roosevelt students Isabella Sanchez and Marina Saburova and ABIS peer leaders Jake Tokarzewski, Chessie Tomari, Sierra Jacobs, Victoria Wanjohi, Jarred Saultz, Kristina Rogalski, Jenna Molesko, Edison Mendez, Jason Guevara, Troy Armstrong, Raquel Ramos, Aleskandra Kaczor, Stephan Nash, Haylee Furka, Nicolle Dzuba and Michelle Toth.
   Students from the MHS Anti-Bullying Club are Lexi Nerger, Vanessa Velez, Natalia Urbanowicz, Sophie Harper, Aereen Almonte, Wilmay Cayanong, Megan Giannotto, Angel Cruz, Ariel Rodriguez, Lawrence Abner, Jonathan Rizk and Matthew Smigelski.