# Ryan's Story — Parent Email Template *Instructions: Copy and paste the text below into your school's email system. Replace all [bracketed text] with your specific event details. Attach the Ryan's Story flyer and Ryan's Story Parent Evening Presentation Overview to the email before sending.* --- **SUBJECT LINE OPTIONS** (choose one): - You're Invited: "Ryan's Story" — A Must-Attend Evening for Parents - Important Parent Event: Cyberbullying, Online Safety & Suicide Prevention - Don't Miss This: A Father's Story That Could Save Your Child's Life - [School Name] Hosts "Ryan's Story" — A Parent Evening on Keeping Kids Safe --- **EMAIL BODY:** Dear [School Name] Families, We are pleased to invite you to a special parent evening presentation of "Ryan's Story: A Father's Hard-Earned Lessons about Cyberbullying and Suicide." WHEN: [Day of Week], [Month Day, Year], [Start Time] – [End Time] WHERE: [Venue Name, Full Address] WHO: All parents, guardians, and community members are welcome COST:[Free admission / Suggested donation / etc.] RSVP: [Link or instructions, if applicable] About the Presentation John Halligan lost his 13-year-old son, Ryan, to suicide in 2003 after months of bullying and cyberbullying. After Ryan's death, John discovered a trail of instant message conversations that revealed the devastating extent of what his son had suffered — cruel rumors, relentless taunting, and a heartbreaking online betrayal by a classmate. For over 20 years, John has shared Ryan's story at more than 2,000 schools across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia, reaching over one million students and parents. His advocacy led directly to the passage of Vermont's Bullying Prevention Law and Suicide Prevention Education Law. He has appeared on ABC's *Primetime* with Diane Sawyer, PBS *Frontline*, and *The Oprah Winfrey Show*. During this presentation, parents will learn about: - Bullying, cyberbullying and suicide prevention - Latest suicidal ideation statistics for teens - Practical strategies for monitoring and guiding your child's online activity - How to build open communication with your child about difficult topics - The role of bystanders and how they can become upstanders instead - Steps you can take to protect your family Why You Should Attend This is not a lecture — it's a father sharing the hardest lessons of his life so that other families don't have to learn them the same way. Whether your child is in elementary school, middle school, or high school, the information John shares is relevant, urgent, and actionable. This presentation could save a child's life. Please make every effort to attend.** For more information about Ryan's Story, visit [www.RyanPatrickHalligan.org](https://www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org). Please see the attached flyer for a printable summary you can share with other parents or post in your workplace. If you have any questions about the event, please contact [Contact Name] at [Phone/Email]. We hope to see you there. Sincerely, [Name] [Title] [School/Organization Name] --- *OPTIONAL: REMINDER EMAIL (send 2–3 days before the event)* --- SUBJECT LINE: Reminder: "Ryan's Story" Parent Evening — [Day of Week] at [Time] **EMAIL BODY:** Dear [School Name] Families, This is a friendly reminder that "Ryan's Story" parent evening presentation is [Day of Week], [Month Day]at[Time] in [Venue Name]. John Halligan will share the story of losing his son Ryan to suicide after cyberbullying — and the critical lessons he learned that every parent needs to hear. This powerful presentation has reached over one million people across 2,000+ schools. We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to attend. When: [Day], [Date] at [Time] Where: [Venue] Admission:[Free / Details] We look forward to seeing you there. [Name] [Title] [School/Organization Name]