In The News
Our MOVE 2 STAND Iniative in Cheatham County – March 20, 2012
KINGSTON SPRINGS — Harpeth High School kicked off the new year by hosting Move 2 Stand, a program sponsored through STARS Nashville, to empower leaders to take a positive stand against bullying and harassment.
The program gets students to take a close, objective look at their attitudes and behaviors so that they gain a deeper understanding of how bullying impacts the school culture and social structure.
Bullying often creates power struggles that feed on fears, disrespect, exclusion, lack of open communication and may negate rather than celebrate uniqueness and diversity.
Move 2 Stand presents focused topics that provide students with a balanced bigger picture. These topics are bullying/harassment, conforming/leadership, empowering bystanders, finding the assets in you and building/creating empathy.
Ila McDermott, who is the STARS representative at HHS, was encouraged by the response to the program, which attracted so much interest that students had to be turned away.
“Before the holiday break in December, 30 students had signed up for the program,” McDermott said. “But on the Wednesday before the program on Friday (Jan. 6), we had 122 kids.”
She said the kids were very receptive and noted that several students said the program saved their life.
Positive changes
For HHS senior Katherine “Kat” Page, the program was life-changing and deeply affirming.
“Right after the program people that normally never talked started talking to others,” she said. “It’s like we all became one group of friends.”
The 18-year-old has had to deal with the challenges that come with moving along with emotional issues tied to the family dynamic. So, her sense of feeling safe was taken to task.
She said she has faced bullying at HHS with some students making fun of her, and remembers when a student she didn’t know slammed her face into her locker and called her a name.
Page moved to South Cheatham County from Portland as an eighth-grader.
“I had been cheerleading captain and was on the dance team, but when I moved here I stopped cheering and neglected my studies,” she said. “I felt like I had no identity, no extracurricular activities, and that label began to stick.”
Because of serious personal challenges, along with health issues, she had become depressed and reclusive.
“The program made me want to get better because I had support from others that day, even strangers,” she said. “I got hugs, and people told me how much they care and understand. They shared similar stories of what they’re dealing with. I realized I’m not alone.”
One of the positives to come from Move 2 Stand was reconnecting with a close friend whom she’d lost touch with after eighth-grade.
“It brought the school together for those willing to let it,” she said. “Now, I have more confidence. And I have a purpose. I want to start a program someday that will help kids deal with the issues that I’ve had to face.”
She said she’s received six letters of support for sharing her story.
McDermott had the students make “Prevent Bullying” posters that represent a positive stand against bullying and harassment.
She’s also working on a program for Safe Dates, to deter abusive and unhealthy relationships, while encouraging self-esteem and affirming care and concern for each other.
HHS has also formed a Move 2 Stand club to encourage and affirm positive behaviors.
Nashville Bullying Prevention – A News Channel 5 Story
Open Line – January 24, 2012
NASHVILLE, Tenn.- It takes a village to stop bullying in our schools. That’s the message from local experts as people all around the mid-state react to the news of another teen suicide because of bullying.
Nashville Business Journal – Music City Achievers
Lisa Bell and Laura Lekowicz were both featured, September 26, 2011
Salute to Excellence Awards
Nashville Renaissance Hotel, September 20, 2011
Each year The Center for Nonprofit Management hosts a dinner and awards presentation that honors area nonprofits for their commitment to management excellence. Ten awards and over $175,000 in grants are awarded. The awards recognize nonprofits for a job well done and reinforce the importance of effective leadership in the nonprofit sector. The breadth of the awards extends not only to work of organizations, but includes individual honors for deserving executives and board members.
STARS Nashville was the recipient of the Baptist Healing Trust Access to Care Award! Congratulations to all!
Wilson taps officer expertise, school counseling
The Tennessean – A Gannett Company
Monday, June 20, 2011
During the past school year, 2010-2011, we enjoyed a reduction in crime in our schools in Wilson County.
I attribute this to several different factors. Our school system implements a number of programs, protocols and policies that promote a safe learning environment. One program in particular is that all of our high schools, junior highs and K-8 schools have school resource officers (SROs) from the Sheriff’s Department permanently assigned to them. The SRO program operates on a “Triad Plus Standard” program. The standard includes law enforcement duties, counseling, teaching and role modeling to promote and encourage positive behaviors. Healthy and positive working relationships with all law enforcement and emergency management agencies, including but not limited to Mt. Juliet, Lebanon, Watertown police departments and the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, help us to have this resource available to our students.
