Phoenixville Area Middle School Focuses on Anti-Bullying Effort

Phoenixville Area Middle School is working to make sure kids being bullied get the help they need thanks to a new program.

At a school board meeting on Jan. 19, members heard about PAMS’ work with the Olweus anti-bullying program. They heard from Principal Dr. Troy Czukoski, who participated in an all-day event on Jan. 3 to kick off the effort.

“The kickoff was a profound success,” Czukoski said.

Faculty members created two videos, “Bullying on the Bus,” and “Bullying in the Locker Room,” for students, and the board watched a video that highlighted the initiative’s kickoff event. The day focused on choosing to treat others with respect, and students played music, danced and heard from Czukoski, who donned a T-shirt printed with the words Basta Ya (enough is enough in English).

The effort also focuses on increasing the number of students who are willing to intervene or get assistance and increase victim reporting. The effort’s progress will be measured through surveys.

After watching the video, Board President Paul Slaninka said he was very impressed with the grassroots effort, which Czukoski said created interest from other area schools.

“If you can reach one child … it’s well worth it,” Slaninka said.

Superintendent Dr. Alan Fegley explained that the Jan. 3 kickoff event was just the beginning of a long process. Fegley added that he stopped by the middle school for the anti-bullying event.

“It was great to see the students so engaged and the faculty so engaged,” Fegley said.