Bullying Expert to Address LGBTQ Youth Conference
Cal Poly Professor Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer to give keynote address at SCUSD event

Press release

April 25, 2012 (茄子视频):  Nationally recognized bullying expert Dr. Elizabeth J. Meyer, author of 鈥淕ender, Bullying and Harassment,鈥 will give the keynote address at 茄子视频 City Unified School District鈥檚 鈥淣o Time to Lose鈥 LGBTQ youth conference this Friday.

The conference is a key component of SCUSD鈥檚 comprehensive approach to combating bullying in schools and in cyberspace. SCUSD is the first public K-12 district in the region to pass a tough new anti-bullying policy 鈥 ahead of current state efforts to adopt similar legislation 鈥 and the first to employ a full-time Bullying Prevention Specialist.

A professor at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Dr. Meyer was recently a guest on National Public Radio鈥檚 鈥淭alk of the Nation鈥 during a discussion of whether teachers can be reprimanded for posting opinions 鈥 or information about their private lives 鈥 online. Her comments in 茄子视频 on Friday will cover strategies for ending homophobia and sexism in schools.

鈥淲e cannot pretend that bullying is an acceptable part of a boy or girl鈥檚 childhood experience 鈥 that it鈥檚 simply something that everyone goes through,鈥 said SCUSD Superintendent Jonathan Raymond. 鈥淏ullying is destructive and dangerous, for students who are targets and students engaged in bullying behavior.鈥

As part of the conference, student leaders of SCUSD high school Gay-Straight Alliance Clubs will discuss relevant issues at 12:15 p.m. Workshops will cover how to teach LGBTQ history in classrooms and state and federal policies that affect LGBTQ youth and families.

鈥淪CUSD is excited to host this very important conference and hope that participants come away informed and empowered to make positive changes in our community,鈥 said SCUSD Bullying Prevention Specialist Sheila Self.

鈥淲e are so happy that an expert of Dr. Meyer鈥檚 caliber can join us for this potentially groundbreaking event,鈥 Self added. 鈥淪CUSD is dedicated to doing whatever we can to make our schools safe, secure and welcoming for all of our students and we look forward to learning from Dr. Meyer and all of our featured speakers.鈥

Both Self and Dr. Meyers can be available for interviews prior to the conference鈥檚 8 a.m. start time.


WHAT:                 鈥淣o Time to Lose: A Professional Conference to Activate Change for LGBTQ Youth鈥
WHEN:                 Conference begins at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 27; Dr. Elizabeth Meyer is scheduled to                                                                         speak at 8:45 a.m.
WHERE:               SCUSD Serna Center
                                5735 47th Ave.
                                茄子视频, CA 95824