Families from Fulton/Montgomery County Region Invited to Attend
The Greater Johnstown School District is pleased to announce that John Halligan, renowned speaker and advocate for bullying and suicide prevention, will be delivering a powerful presentation titled “Ryan’s Story” for local parents and guardians at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4 at Johnstown High School in the newly restored Large Group Instruction (LGI) room across from the gymnasium.
Families from across Fulton/Montgomery County are encouraged to attend this important community event.
“Ryan’s Story” is an impactful and emotional presentation that sheds light on the devastating effects of bullying and cyberbullying. The presentation is based on the personal experience of John Halligan, who tragically lost his 13 year-old son Ryan to suicide as a result of relentless bullying. Through sharing his family’s heartbreaking journey, Halligan aims to raise awareness, promote empathy, and empower parents to take action in preventing bullying.
During the presentation, John Halligan will discuss the warning signs of bullying, the role of technology in cyberbullying, and the importance of fostering open communication with children. He will also provide valuable insights into how parents can support their children, create a safe environment, and effectively address bullying incidents.
The following day, Friday, December 5, Mr. Halligan will give a similar presentation geared toward the student body at JHS and Knox Middle School.
“None of us want to believe that bullying is happening—especially that our own children could be the instigators or the victims. But the truth is that our kids are surrounded by it,” said Johnstown High School Principal Nick Snow.
“We hear about it in the news, we see it happening in other schools, and we assume we’re somehow protected from such behavior. But our schools are no different from the ones we see on TV. The goal of this powerful presentation is to confront the problem from multiple angles, with the hope of making a meaningful difference and, above all, assuring our struggling students that they are not alone and we are here for them,” he added.
The Greater Johnstown School District is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, and this presentation is part of the ongoing efforts to address the issue of bullying within our school community. By engaging parents and guardians in this conversation, we can work together to prevent and combat bullying, ultimately ensuring the well-being and success of our students.
If you would like to hear more about Mr. Halligan’s backstory, and the life of his son Ryan, please visit his website: https://www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org/
