Hospital trains teens to combat bullying

The Southview dance team was awarded a pair of two first-place trophies during the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators state dance championships March 4. Northview also took home a trophy.

Here's a look at recent headlines on OurTownSylvania.com:

Teen Peers Educating Peers program attacks bullying, abuse: ProMedica's Teen PEP program gives students the chance to learn about bullying and teen dating violence, and teaches their peers about the strong negative effects of these issues.

One of every eight boys and girls reports bullying another student and about a third report making sexual comments or calling others gay or lesbian, a national study last year found.

"It's shocking," said Danielle Cisterino, director of the PEP program at Toledo Children's Hospital for five years.

Program coordinators work with school personnel to put together teams of students who are considered trustworthy by their peers.

Future sophomore through senior students are chosen in the spring.

Teams from many schools attend a yearly training session at the hospital in the fall, and then Teen PEP staff do personalized trainings with teen leaders in the schools to prepare them for classroom presentations.

The presentations to the freshmen classes consist mainly of role-playing followed by in-depth, peer-led class discussions on each of the topics.

Southview and Northview are among the 12 area schools that participate in the program.

"It's a commitment to bettering the school," said Sarah Tuttle, a 2009 Southview grad and former Teen PEP member. "It has a huge impact on the students. They have no idea how significant their actions are, especially bullying."

Southview dance team takes 2 firsts, Northview a second in state competition: Northview and Southview dance teams made their marks in the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators state dance championships March 4, taking home trophies in all three categories.

The Southview Cougarettes were the state champions in the pom and jazz divisions, competing against six high schools in pom and three in jazz.

This is the first time a team has won first place in multiple divisions in the competition. The Cougarettes won first place in the pom division in 2011.

In the hip-hop division, Northview's dance team took second and Southview's third, competing against eight high schools. This is the first time Northview competed in the state championship.

St. Joseph School Hosts 5th Annual Evening with the Arts (By Juli Snyder): On March 7, St. Joseph School in Sylvania held its 5th Annual Evening with the Arts in the Father Wurzel Family Center.

Families came to browse the halls and admire the fabulous works of the St. Joseph Art Department.

Nearly 700 pieces of art were on display representing kindergarten through eighth grade.

Downtown Sylvania Sidewalk/Garage Sale (By Sarah Groves): Sylvania Historical Village is accepting reservations for spots in its annual garage sale May 19.

A variety of vendors set up along both sides of Sylvania's North Main Street near the Historical Village from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Reservations may be made by contacting Lisa at Lasting Impressions, 5727 N. Main St. or by calling 419-824-4153. Spaces are $35 for the day.

Mobile Care Group to sponsor Cancer Connection's first 5K race (By Mobile Care Group): Mobile Care Group, a Sylvania health-care service firm, will sponsor the Cancer Connection of Northwest Ohio Inc.'s first 5K event April 1 at Secor Metropark.

Money raised will be used to fund local services by Cancer Connection including the Hand-in-Hand program, which provides personal, hands-on support for cancer patients and their families.

Free services also include housing, medical equipment, daycare, and a caregiver respite program.

Joe Wallace, president of Mobile Care Group said, "We want to support our community and good health, and this event accomplishes both goals.

Cancer Connection is an exceptional organization, and we are proud to be able to help them with this fund-raising event."

Contact Ashley Streichert at astreichert@theblade.com or 419-206-0356.