TEMECULA, Calif., (October 21, 2013) – In observance of National Bullying Prevention Month, Promenade Temecula has launched an Anti-Bullying education campaign, donating S.H.A.R.K. Patrol Program Kits to each elementary school in the Murrieta school district to help advance anti-bullying curriculum and aid in the fight to end bullying in Southwest Riverside County, according to Kym Espinosa, Director of Marketing for Promenade Temecula.

“Bullying has become a national epidemic, with an estimated 18 million children in the U.S. being bullied each year,” says Espinosa, who notes that the National Association of Elementary School Principals reported that negative feelings from being bullied account for three million student absences each month.

“As a leading shopping center in Southwest Riverside County, we are committed to helping better our community and encourage positive changes that will benefit local children and families,” explains Espinosa.

The S.H.A.R.K. Patrol (Students Help Achieve Respect and Kindness) in-school educational curriculum was developed by accredited educators to provide teachers and counselors with the materials needed to educate and teach anti- bullying techniques to young children, from kindergarten to third grade.

“It’s so important for us to educate our children about these dangerous behaviors early in their development, so they can grow up to become positive role models for the next generation,” adds Espinosa.

Based on the “Captain McFinn and Friends” books written by Phyllis Cafaro, the program is designed to teach younger children the concepts of being “a buddy, not a bully.” The program provides students and teachers with a variety of tools, including 30 lessons that can be used to promote positive behavior. In addition to the in-school activities, each packet includes a Captain McFinn book and music CD that students can take home to share with their parents and families to help enforce the theme beyond the classroom.

“We recognize the importance of advancing our anti-bullying curriculum, and are fortunate to be partnering with Promenade Temecula to provide local students with a deeper understanding of this crucial issue,” said Mary Walters, Director of the Murrieta School District. “This program will provide excellent bullying prevention instruction for our staff and elementary classes, and is an initiative that we are confident will resonate far beyond our classroom walls.”

To further inform and educate the community on this important issue, Promenade Temecula will host a special Anti-Bullying costume party event featuring Captain McFinn on October 30 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. near the Paradise Playland.

This fun and interactive event will give kids the opportunity to sign a pledge against bullying, confirming their commitment to this important cause. Guests are also encouraged to dress in their most spooktacular costumes and participate in a costume contest judged by Captain McFinn himself. For more information, please visitwww.promenadetemecula.com.

About Promenade Temecula

Promenade Temecula is an indoor/outdoor regional lifestyle shopping center located in Temecula, California.  The center’s anchor stores include Macy’s, Macy’s Men’s, Children & Home, JCPenney, Sears and Edwards 15 Cinemas.

In addition to its indoor shopping experience, Promenade Temecula features a fresh, outdoor “Main Street” style plaza offering more than 170 premier shops including Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma, Apple, and Coach; as well as a large variety of sit-down restaurants including Yard House and Lazy Dog Cafe.  For more information about the center, visit www.promenadetemecula.com

About Forest City

Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is a $10.5 billion NYSE-listed national real estate company. The Company is principally engaged in the ownership, development, management and acquisition of commercial and residential real estate and land throughout the United States.  For more information, visit www.forestcity.net.