School Specialty Takes a Stand Against Bullying with 'Raising Respect'

Planner program addresses bullying before it becomes an issue

GREENVILLE, Wis., May 30, 2013 /CNW/ - As bullying takes on new forms in schools, teachers and administrators are looking for ways to prevent a conflict before it starts. School Specialty, Inc. (OTCQB:SCHSQ), a leading K-12 education company with the broadest array of products in the education market, announces Raising Respect, a planner program that provides actionable tips to identify, intervene and address bullying in and out of school. The program is being developed through the company's Premier brand.

"With Raising Respect, the entire education community can work together to avoid the consequences of bullying and its impact on learning, lives and futures," said Andreas Kaufmann, vice president of marketing for Premier. "This program enables students, educators and families to create a secure climate of achievement, and a place where every student can learn in safety, empathy and belonging."

Benefits of the program include:

• Provides inclusive materials and solutions
• Bolsters academic achievement
• Increases parental involvement
• Builds individual accountability
• Encourages positive social-emotional principles
• Raises college and career readiness
• Supplies instructional strategies
• Strengthens home-to-school connections

"Raising Respect highlights the severity of bullying and provides comprehensive resources to address the issue," said Kaufmann. "The program empowers students to make safe choices, develop positive peer relations and prevent bullying using self-management, problem-solving and communication strategies."

For more information about how School Specialty and Premier are helping teachers and students avert bullying, visit http://premier.ca/Anti-Bullying.

About Premier
Premier creates solutions for prevention, intervention and real-world readiness. Utilizing systematic, connected instructional pathways, Premier helps the prevention of future learning difficulties. The company closes individual learning gaps by using scaffolded intervention that is age and interest appropriate for intermediate and secondary students. As the leading provider of customized school planners for nearly 30 years, Premier provides real-world resources that help position students for a successful future through college and career preparedness. For more information, visit http://premier.us/.

About School Specialty, Inc.
School Specialty is a leading education company that provides innovative and proprietary products, programs and services to help educators engage and inspire students of all ages and abilities to learn. The company designs, develops, and provides preK-12 educators with the latest and very best curriculum, supplemental learning resources, and school supplies. Working in collaboration with educators, School Specialty reaches beyond the scope of textbooks to help teachers, guidance counselors and school administrators ensure that every student reaches his or her full potential. For more information, visit www.schoolspecialty.com.

SOURCE: School Specialty, Inc.

School Specialty Dru Popper, 920.202.0232, [email protected], or PR Saul Hafenbredl, C. Blohm & Associates, 608.216.7300 ext. 25, [email protected].

http://www.schoolspecialty.com