Join Promenade Temecula for a Special Anti-Bullying Costume Party Event Featuring Captain McFinn

In
observance of National Bullying Prevention Month, Promenade Temecula has launched an
Anti-Bullying education campaign, donating S.H.A.R.K. Patrol Program Kits to each elementary school in the
Murrieta school district to help advance anti-bullying curriculum and aid in
the fight to end bullying in Southwest Riverside County, according to Kym
Espinosa, Director of Marketing for Promenade Temecula.  

“Bullying
has become a national epidemic, with an estimated 18 million children in the
U.S. being bullied each year,” says Espinosa, who notes that the National
Association of Elementary School Principals reported that negative feelings
from being bullied account for three million student absences each month.

“As a leading shopping center in Southwest Riverside County, we are
committed to helping better our community and encourage positive changes that
will benefit local children and families,” explains Espinosa.

The S.H.A.R.K. Patrol (Students Help Achieve Respect and Kindness)
in-school educational curriculum was developed by accredited educators to
provide teachers and counselors with the materials needed to educate and teach
anti- bullying techniques to young children, from kindergarten to third grade.

“It’s so important for us to educate our children about these
dangerous behaviors early in their development, so they can grow up to become
positive role models for the next generation,” adds Espinosa.

Based on the “Captain McFinn and Friends” books written by Phyllis
Cafaro, the program is designed to teach younger children the concepts of being
“a buddy, not a bully.” The program provides students and teachers with a
variety of tools, including 30 lessons that can be used to promote positive
behavior. In addition to the in-school activities, each packet includes a Captain McFinn book and music CD that
students can take home to share with their parents and families to help enforce
the theme beyond the classroom.

“We recognize the importance of advancing our anti-bullying curriculum,
and are fortunate to be partnering with Promenade Temecula to provide local
students with a deeper understanding of this crucial issue,” said Mary Walters,
Director of the Murrieta School District. “This program will provide excellent
bullying prevention instruction for our staff and elementary classes, and is an
initiative that we are confident will resonate far beyond our classroom walls.”

To further inform and educate the community on this important
issue, Promenade Temecula will host a special Anti-Bullying costume party event
featuring Captain McFinn on October 30
from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. near the Paradise Playland.

This fun and interactive event will give kids the opportunity to
sign a pledge against bullying, confirming their commitment to this important
cause. Guests are also encouraged to dress in their most spooktacular costumes and participate in a costume contest judged
by Captain McFinn himself. For more information, please visit www.promenadetemecula.com.