# Letter Template for Parent Notification of Upcoming Student Assembly

*Instructions: Copy and paste the text below into your school's email or letter system. Replace all [bracketed text] with your specific details. Attached the "Ryan's Story: Student Presentation Overview for Parents" PDF document to the email.

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**Subject:** Important: Ryan's Story — Upcoming Student Presentation on Bullying, Cyberbullying & Suicide Prevention

Dear [School Name] Families,

At [School Name], we believe that addressing bullying and cyberbullying head-on is one of the most important things we can do to protect our students. That is why we have invited **John Halligan** — an internationally recognized speaker, author, and advocate — to deliver his powerful presentation, **"Ryan's Story,"** to our students on **[Scheduled Date]**.

**About the Presentation**

In 2003, John Halligan lost his 13-year-old son, Ryan, to suicide. Ryan had endured bullying from classmates since the 5th grade — both in person and online. He also struggled with underlying mental health challenges and depression, which deepened his vulnerability. After Ryan's death, John discovered a trail of online conversations that revealed just how much his son had been suffering in silence.

John has since dedicated his life to sharing Ryan's story so that students and families can learn the lessons his family learned the hardest way possible. He has spoken at more than 2,000 schools across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Colombia, and has appeared on ABC's *Primetime*, PBS *Frontline*, and *The Oprah Winfrey Show*. His advocacy led to the passage of Vermont's Bullying Prevention Law and Suicide Prevention Education Law.

**What Students Will Experience**

The presentation begins with a short video of home movies and photographs of Ryan — putting a real face and a real life behind the issue. Mr. Halligan then walks students through his son's story and the circumstances that led to Ryan's death. Students will hear what bullying and cyberbullying look like from inside a family that has lived through the worst outcome — and they will come away with life-changing lessons about empathy, forgiveness, the power of bystanders, suicide prevention, and the courage it takes to apologize.

For more information, we encourage you to visit [www.RyanPatrickHalligan.org](https://www.ryanpatrickhalligan.org).

**Please see the attached document, "Ryan's Story: Student Presentation Overview for Parents,"** for a detailed look at what your child will experience, the core messages of the presentation, and ways you can support your child before and after the assembly. 

**What to Know as a Parent**

Because of the sensitive and emotional nature of this topic, we want you to be aware of this presentation in advance. Here is how we are supporting students:

- Students will participate in a **pre-lesson** before the assembly to prepare them for the content
- A **post-lesson** will follow to help students process what they heard and apply it
- Our **Support Services Staff** will be available throughout the assembly and afterward for any student who needs additional support

We strongly encourage you to **ask your child about the presentation** when they come home and use it as an opportunity to have an open conversation about bullying, online behavior, and mental health. These conversations matter more than you might think.

**Questions or Concerns**

Should you have any questions, or if you would prefer that your child not attend this presentation, please contact me at [email address] before [Date Here].

Sincerely,

[Name]
[Title]
[School/Organization Name]