The Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation, in alliance with the Pittsburgh Foundation and educational partners including the Pennsylvania School Counselors Association (PSCA), held a Bullying Prevention Conference on November 4, 2011, at California University of Pennsylvania (Cal U) which was attended by several hundred school counselors and teachers from the region.
At the conference, The Marcus L Ruscitto Foundation announced a request for proposal (RFP) for students, along with teacher and administrator approval, to develop creative approaches in support of bullying prevention education initiatives in southwestern Pennsylvania, including an informational video. The Foundation is pleased to announce the winning proposals accepted for funding at the elementary, middle and high school levels. The overall winning schools will each receive a cash prize or grants noted below to be used for bullying prevention education initiatives and the grand prize winner will be honored with the opportunity to bring the renowned bullying prevention initiative speaker, Dr. Adolph Brown, to their school for a one day presentation:
• Grand Prize Winner
Propel Homestead, Propel Charter Schools
Award: Grant for Dr. Adolph Brown to facilitate the "BULLYPROOFING YOUR SCHOOL" program in Fall 2012
• Overall School Winners
Elementary School – Hyde Elementary, Moon Township
Middle School – Highland Middle School, Blackhawk School District
High School – Belle Vernon Area High School, Belle Vernon Area School District
Award: $2,000 cash prize to each school to support bullying prevention programs
• Creativity Awards
Penn Trafford Middle School, Penn Trafford School District
McCormick Elementary School, Moon Township
Award: $500 cash prize to each school to support bullying prevention programs
Dr. Adolph Brown, a passionate educator and renowned inspirational speaker who has become a leader in developing innovative programs to tackle this critical issue was the keynote presenter at the Bullying Prevention Conference. He conducted a full day bullying prevention program at Propel Charter School in Homestead, sponsored by a grant from the Marcus L. Ruscitto Charitable Foundation in the Fall 2012-2013 school year. The event was held at Mt. Ararat Baptist Church in the City of Pittsburgh's Larimer neighborhood in order to accommodate the audience of 1200 students.