The Whidbey Island Waldorf School will host a public lecture by social inclusion pioneer Kim John Payne at South Whidbey High School.

“Social Inclusion & The New Rites of Passage:  Addressing Isolation, Teasing & Bullying” is 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Come and learn about a tried and proven approach designed to give practical playground-, classroom- and home-based tools to work with social exclusion issues.  The social inclusion approach helps children change negative social patterns without blaming and shaming.

Payne will explore why certain children get picked on while others bully, and how to make teasing guidelines the children understand and use. Most importantly, the workshop looks at how to develop a whole community approach and policy that is supported in school and home.

A consultant and trainer to more than 110 independent and public schools, Payne has been a school counselor, adult educator, consultant, researcher, educator and a private family counselor for 27 years. He regularly gives keynote addresses at international conferences for educators, parents, and therapists and runs workshops and training’s around the world.

The joint offering is made possible by Whidbey Island Waldorf School and the PTAs of South Whidbey schools. Tickets available at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for students, though no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Advance tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/215179.

For more information, visit www.wiws.org or call Sheila Weidendorf at 341-5686.