Mallory Grossman’s Mom To Speak With SPF Parents About Bullying

SCOTCH PLAINS/FANWOOD, NJ — Scotch Plains and Fanwood parents have come together to create a safer environment for their students in schools. As part of this movement, the parent-lead organization, SPF Parents United, have invited Diane Grossman to speak on Tuesday at the All Saints' Episcopal Church in Scotch Plains.

Grossman founded the organization Mallory’s Army in honor of her 12-year-old daughter, Mallory, who took her life last year after what Dianne has called horrific bullying. Mallory's Army seeks to eradicate bullying through education, and hosts educational workshops for parents and educators.

“I touch briefly on what happened to Mallory but it is not the basis of the movement,” Grossman told Patch. “I focus more on the hindsight aspect in what went wrong and what I could’ve done differently to help my daughter.”

Grossman talks to parents about how to approach the schools about bullying incidents and how to document each step.

She also will touch on the differences in what bullying is.

“If you have a birthday party, you don’t have to invite the entire class, but you don’t tag those not invited in a social media post. That is cyberbullying,” Grossman said.

Grossman will offer parents ways to talk to their children.

“Teach them to be part of solution and not part of the problem,” Grossman said. “Teach kids to volunteer, to be involved. Teach friendship.”

During Grossman’s sold-out appearance, there will be cameras filming the event for use in her documentary film. The film is intended to tell the rest of Mallory’s story.

“She is more than a two-minute news story,” Grossman said. “And the film will talk about bullying. Hopefully the film will open eyes to see a community-wide problem.”

The film is expected to be available in December to schools who can not afford to have Grossman come out and speak.

“So often we wait until a tragedy happens in our life to roll up our sleeves and do something,” Grossman said. “We as a society are much more reactive than proactive and that needs to change.”

Along with Grossman, the event will include the mayors of Scotch Plains and Fanwood, all seven school principals or vice principals, the school superintendent and both borough Police Chiefs.

Jeff Kowalczyk, one of the founders of SPF Parents United, is excited for Tuesday’s event and said it is part of his group’s mission.

Following the Parkland shooting (the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February), community members wanted to form a group to focus on safety in the schools. Concerns were brought to the Board of Education and were addressed.

However, Kowalczyk wanted to also focus on mental health of children as well.

“If the leading cause of death in teens is suicide in this generation what does that say about us?” Kowalczyk said.

Thus, brought about the Grossman event.

Kowalczyk expects more events in the future and is always looking for more parents to join and help out. To learn more about SPF Parents United email spfparentsunited@gmail.com.

Read More:

• Bullying Of Mallory Grossman, 12, Detailed In Wrongful Death Suit
• 6 Of The Most Disturbing Claims In NJ Bullying Death Lawsuit
• 1 Year Later, Mallory Grossman Lives On In Anti-Bullying Efforts
• Mom Shares 'Last Selfie' Taken With Mallory Grossman Before Death
• Bullying Against Mallory Grossman Wasn't Ignored, Rockaway School Officials Say
• Mallory Grossman's Family Sues Rockaway Schools Over Bullying That Led To Suicide
• Mother Of Rockaway 12-Year-Old Who Died Complained To School About Bullying
• 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death
• Rockaway 6th Grader Who Passed Away Remembered As Charitable And Outdoorsy

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