Scottsdale, AZ--
MASK PRESS RELEASE
From: Michelle Cardini (michelle@maskmatters.org)
Date: August 24, 2012
MASK KICKS OFF NEW CAMPUS OF RANCHO SOLANO PREPARATORY SCHOOL WITH "ERASE AND
REPLACE" BULLYING PROGRAM
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - On August 8th, MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) engaged 6th to 8th grade
students at Rancho Solano Preparatory School's new Ventura campus in Scottsdale, Arizona, using its newest bullying program. The "Erase and Replace" program was created by MASK as a way to "erase" the generic and overused word "bullying," and replace it with positive, proactive, and preventative ways for students to address
bullying.
Rancho Solano Preparatory School sought to set the tone for its new 6th to 12th grade campus right from the
start of the school year. "The idea of 'Erase and Replace' is to reinvent how we look at the issue of bullying,"
said MASK representative Debbie Popiel. "We are encouraging students to take ownership of their actions -
as a person being bullied, or as a bystander - by improving self-esteem, encouraging empathy, and asking for
help when needed."
Rancho Solano's Head of School's (Pk-8th grades) Brent Hodges said, "We are thrilled to be partnering with
MASK, an organization that we find matches our values so well as a school. MASK has been an amazing
partner with Rancho Solano in assisting us in getting a positive message out on how to support and grow our
healthy school community, helping students to define and recognize positive behavior, and to help create
a school community and culture that educates and discusses bullying. MASK's mission and vision aligns so
well with our 'Rancho 5' (Respectful, Responsible, Polite, Considerate, and Successful) and the middle school
students at Rancho were thrilled to join in on the discussion with MASK on reinforcing a positive school
culture."
The new Rancho Solano Ventura campus features four "houses" of middle school students, and each house
will be creating its own public service announcement (PSA) on the topic of bullying. In keeping with MASK's
blanket approach to educating students, parents, and staff, MASK will return to Rancho Solano next week
to facilitate a brainstorming session for the students who will be producing the PSA's, as well as to educate
parents about the "Erase and Replace" program. The students will create their PSA and the entire Rancho
Solano program will be featured in the next issue of MASK The Magazine.
ABOUT MASK
MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization created in 2007 by a group of dedicated mothers in Arizona who recognized the need to consistently educate parents and children on rapidly changing issues. MASK offers free awareness and prevention programs to schools and the community on topics such as substance abuse, bullying, technology safety and self-esteem. MASK's mission is to educate both parents
and children about the issues facing our youth and to empower children to make safe, healthy choices. MASK seeks to engage, educate and empower families.
ABOUT MASK THE MAGAZINE
MASK The Magazine provides parenting solutions for today's families. To date, the magazine has reached over
5,000,000 people through print and digital versions since its launch in February of 2011. Published four times
a year, MASK The Magazine tackles important subjects including Bullying, Current Drug Trends, Body Image
& Self-Esteem, and Internet & Technology Safety. All topics are formatted in easy-to-read, age-appropriate
sections, from kindergarten to college. Through compelling stories, expert information and resourceful tips
and suggestions, each issue highlights some of the challenges facing children and families today, and provides
valuable, age-appropriate prevention tactics and conversation starters. Visit www.maskmatters.org to
subscribe.
MASK The Magazine's newest issue, Right on Track: Finding the Right Balance When Fueling Your Children's
Passions, covers an array of topics, including maintaining balance in a time-deprived and over-scheduled
world; whether adults are hurting their children by pushing them to achieve; young adult writers share their
stress-inducers; and the importance of remembering to schedule a date with your spouse or significant other.
It is through magazine advertisers and subscribers, fundraising events and donations that MASK is able to continue providing all of its programs free of charge to schools and communities.
CONTACT
Michelle Cardini
Co-Founder/Marketing Director
E-mail: michelle@maskmatters.org
Phone: 480-502-5337
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