Honoring their motto of “service above self,” Encinitas Rotary Club’s President David Lam and Peace Committee award chair Robert Blumberg presented the 2014 Peacemaker Award to Dr. Sherri Wexler of Paul Ecke Central School.
Encinitas Rotary’s Peace Committee and Peacemaker Award were established in 2009 to recognize the efforts of local community members, whose work has a positive impact on promoting peace and understanding. Championed by Paul Ecke Central’s Principal, Adriana Chavarin, for implementing and coordinating the Safe School Student Ambassadors Program, Dr. Wexler goes beyond role of school psychologist by giving students the tools needed to end bullying.
Since its inception, the Safe School Student Ambassador Program has decreased incidents of violence and referrals by 76%. Dr. Wexler explains “although much focus is given to ‘the bully’ and ‘the victim,’ the focus should be on the 80-90% of ‘bystanders’ with the actual power. The Safe School Student Ambassadors Program “empowers the bystander in order to prevent cruelty and violence,” and the Encinitas Rotary Peace Committee applauds their proactive endeavors.
