SAFE SCHOOLS
How Can You Help Stop Bullying
We who in engage in nonviolent direct action are not the creators of tension.
We merely bring to the surface the hidden tension that is already alive.
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The fact is that some degree of bullying happens in every
school, everywhere, every day.  It is the extent to which it
happens and how it is handled that firmly establishes the
climate in a school.  Creating a safe, accepting environment
that promotes respect for all is key in preventing bullying and
harassing behaviors. This workshop will focus on reasons that
bullying takes place, the players involved, and what to do in
schools and at home to prevent it from happening.  Research
and effective strategies for ensuring a safe, respectful school
climate will be shared.  In addition, the connections between
bullying/harassment and bias and diversity
awareness/appreciation will be discussed.
All Workshops will begin promptly at 2:00 PM, Monday January 21st at Milford High School
following the Main Event. Limited seating. No late comers will be permitted. Register Now To Reserve Your Seat!
Workshops
DRUMMING FOR PEACE
Join us for a fun and ego free hand drum
class studying traditional rhythms from
the Malinke and Susu people of West
Africa. All Ages and Beginners welcome
– drums to share. Ryan Edwards
(director of Like Water Drum & Dance)
is an experienced teacher of music and
folklore, as well as an active student that
has traveled to Guinea, West Africa
many times to study, absorb and
celebrate rhythm.  
FINDING OUR ROOTS IN IRAQI ART
Mesopotamia, what the Greeks called the land between the two great rivers, the Tigris
and the Euphrates, ancient Iraq, has been called the cradle of Western civilization: why is
that? This 90-minute PowerPoint slide discussion session invites participants to begin to
examine and analyze the significance of remains of the literary and visual culture of
ancient Mesopotamia from beginnings in the delta circa 5500 BCE. Cunieform tabets with
powerful tales of a diety's resurrection, alabaster votive offerings in the form of persons
with their hands folded in prayer--or, for instance, graphic records of the king's bloody
destruction of human and animal foe alike all records of beliefs, values, rituals, and
political forms of life remarkably like our own. How might we trace our cultural forms back
to those of the people who inhabited ancient Iraq? And what responsibility do we have to
safeguard the cultural treasures of Iraq while we occupy its territory? We consider a
different view of U.S. involvement in Iraq. Leslie Cavell teaches art history and visual
culture at Michigan State University. She has presented research on medieval religious
imagery in at College Art Association and the Society of Biblical Literature conferences
and in the 2006 SOURCE article "Restoring the Integrity of Macon's Last Judgment Portal.
AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM
Dr. King was opposed to American involvement in the Vietnam War. This workshop will
briefly touch the subject of American Exceptionalism, meaning the attitude that
American culture & life is superior to other cultures’ life, which displays itself as this
attitude that can oppose others.
Dawud Walid, is the Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations-
Michigan. Dawud is an educator, community activist & decorated veteran who has
been active in the Detroit Metropolitan area for years. He has lectured across the
country & has had numerous articles on Islam & Interfaith dialogue published. He also
served in the United States Military for four years receiving two Navy & Marine Corp
Achievement Medals for his work under the Administrative Officer & the Command
Judge Advocate of his unit.

All workshops will begin promptly at 2:00 PM & conclude at 3:30 PM.
*Pre-registration is highly encouraged if you want to be assured a seat.
Please register for only 1 workshop.
All workshops are limited to approximately 30 participants  
(People who pre-register by January 13th will be given priority)
Drumming For Peace in the Old Gym which is open to all-ages & can accommodate
up to 100 participants.   
WORKSHOP
FOR ALL
AGES
Artists For Peace, a collaborative of local artists who will
be offering an ARTshop for all ages to help us build a
tradition of pledging for peace in a more creative way!  
Join in and make this growing commemoration to Dr.
King and pledge to pursue, practice, and profess peace
each day for 2008!

Materials supplied, bring a good attitude, a desire to talk
about peace and the joy of working collaboratively with
people of all ages in a creative and peaceful endeavor!
PEACE QUILT – Make a Piece For Peace
When you follow the money, what does it show about our values and
priorities as a nation? In this workshop participants explore how their budget
priorities compare to the Federal Budget, as well as what other faith leaders
are saying about our federal spending.
The Interfaith Council for Peace and
Justice is a non-profit education/social
action organization which brings
together people of various faiths who
believe the world is one family. We
believe that love, commitment to future
generations, wise stewardship of the
environment and promotion of social,
political and economic justice are
religious responsibilities.
FAITH VALUES & BUDGET PRIORITIES
Milford High Schools Diversity Club is in its third year as an organization. We work to model and promote unity,
acceptance, and inclusion within our school community. Some of our activities to date include the Day of Silence, Mix it
Up Day, Movie Night, a teacher presentation, student survey, Safe Schools Week, and MLK Jr. Day last year. We are
also actively involved with the youth diversity program LINC, through it we have been given the opportunity to grow as
individuals in our knowledge and understanding of diversity related issues, and have been trained as facilitators.
Our workshop will show the importance of the connections we all
share as human beings, each piece of a bridge is individual yet they
rely on each other to stand. We will do interactive activities, followed
by discussion, that show the commonalities shared among us and to
remind us that by remembering no one is alone we can make a
difference on a daily basis in others lives. Learning to effectively
communicate and care about others on an individual basis  is the first
step to bettering your world. There will also be a short film followed by
discussion concerning how diversity relates to you.
BUILDING BRIDGES PIECE BY PEACE   
WORKSHOP
FOR AGES
10+
Jill McDonald, M.Ed., has worked as a public educator for the past 15 years.  She has been a middle and high
school teacher, an At-Risk Program Coordinator, and a high school Associate Principal.  Her professional career has
focused on the development of preventative programs, which serve to eliminate bullying and harassment, increase an
appreciation for diversity, and empower students.  She has been a leader in district and community-wide diversity
programs, where she has gained recognition and awards.  Ms. McDonald was recently sponsored and certified as a
national trainer for the Bully-Proofing Your School, Creating Caring Communities organization.  She has worked as a
consultant, providing workshops and trainings for teachers, schools, and the Oakland Intermediate School District in
Oakland County.  Currently, Ms. McDonald is an administrator in the Huron Valley School district and continues to
research principles of effective teaching and violence prevention.
CREATE INNER PEACE TO PROMOTE WORLD PEACE
Relaxation training provides a healthful approach to dealing with stress and promoting inner
peace. With the many physiological problems facing individuals in our society today we often
need to create an inner peace to model that peace in our daily interactions. Do you have
trouble sleeping, have anxiety or feel the need to become more focused, centered and
aware? This is your first step to finding a more peaceful way to live, every day. This
introduction will start you on the path to personal peace and joy by reducing the impact of
stress in your life and helping you to just relax. We will explore the use of breathing
techniques, meditation and mindfulness to encourage natural relaxation, sleep enhancement
and health. Ed Collins, MA, LPC, NBCC, CHt,  is a parent, husband, educator, activist,
mentor, artist, poet , counselor and life long meditator, newly living in the Huron Valley area.
He works as a counselor at Milford High School, supervising the Meditation Club.  
INCLUSIVE JUSTICE: LGBTQ People in Faith Communities, Schools & History
If you identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Straight
Ally and want to learn about supportive faith communities, school groups
or organizations, or if you are a Parent looking for resources to support
your child or simply interested in learning about the amazing contributions
of LGBTQ people throughout history come to this safe space. This session
is limited to 20 participants so pre-registration is required and kept
confidential. Questioning and Straight Allies welcome. Facilitated by staff,
volunteers and clergy of the American Friends Service Committee's
Inclusive Justice and Faith Action Network Program.  
WORKSHOP
FOR ALL
AGES