Garfield Middle School has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office to be applied to the school’s bullying prevention program. With the funding, all Garfield students will continue to be educated in the nationally recognized Olweus Bullying & Violence prevention curriculum that is taught by representatives from Campus Impact. 

As was the case last year with the Campus Impact program, approximately every other month classroom lessons will teach students the dangers of bullying behavior as well as strategies to stop or reduce bullying.  Students will also receive lessons on diversity, respect, cyber bullying, and conflict resolution. 

“Bullying and violence in schools is a worldwide epidemic that has no easy solution,” said Garfield Principal Mark Walter. “We can reduce this problem through educating our children on the horrible consequences that may result from bullying and how to report bullying and support their victims.”

Garfield Assistant Principal Tony Chiaravalle initiated the contact with the Prosecutor’s Office when he requested funds for the school’s anti-bullying efforts in June. The school received a letter earlier this month announcing the $10,000 award. Prosecutor Bill Mason’s office makes grants such as these available for bully and violence prevention programs through of seizures and forfeitures of criminal defendants in Cuyahoga County.