Bullying Awareness Presentation Scheduled at Arbor Park School

In the anonymity of cyberspace, bullying can happen without a sound.

Two middle schools have teamed up to bring a presentation by John Halligan, the father of a 13-year-old special needs student who took his own life after years of bullying. Officials hope the talk about Ryan Halligan's life in Vermont will bring attention to a quiet problem.

“He was bullied in silence,” said Margaret Longo, superintendent of . Both  from District 142 and in District 145 are working together on the bullying awareness effort.

The presentation for the community starts at 7 p.m. tonight at .

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Halligan’s story is intended to remind students of the real consequences of online bullying. The presentation will feature pictures a video collection of pictures of Ryan, after which John will tell the story of what led up to his son’s suicide.

You can read about Ryan Halligan's life and the bullying, both in school and online, that plauged him by clicking here.

“We felt that it would be important to hear from another parent," Longo said. "It would be important for our children to hear the effect bullying not only has on the child but also on the family."