Everyone in our school community is responsible for implementing bullying and violence prevention policies and programs. Key roles involved in bullying prevention programs include:
We have guidelines in place to help students deal with incidents of bullying, whether they are the victim, bystander or bully. We do not tolerate bullying on school property, at school related activities, on school buses or in any other circumstances such as online communication.
We provide constant involvement, progressive discipline and pro-social training to support students who bully and those who are victimized or bystanders.
Bullying negatively affects a student's:
The following are definitions to explain the various forms of bullying.
Bullying |
Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or group that is intended to cause fear and distress and/or harm to another person's body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance. |
Physical bullying |
Physical bullying: includes hitting, shoving, stealing or damaging property. |
Verbal bullying |
Verbal bullying: includes name-calling, taunting, or sexual, racial or homophobic comments. |
Social bullying |
Social bullying: involves excluding someone from a group, spreading gossip and rumours or manipulating the social order. |
Cyber bullying |
Cyber bullying: involves the use of social media tools to engage in social or verbal bullying. |
We treat all incidents of bullying at school seriously. We use a model of progressive discipline to maintain the dignity of all children, including the victim and the bully. We are committed to teaching appropriate behaviour, not simply punishing students. Students are given consequences for their behaviour based on the harshness of the actions and factors as outlined in the Education Act and the Board's Student Discipline Policy. Restorative practices plays a key role in the prevention and intervention of bullying situations.
What should I do as a parent if my child is being bullied? |
It is important that you address the situation adequately and safely. Your child may be nervous about involving you in the problem for the fear it might make things worse. Talk to your child about finding a friend that he/she trusts. Talk to the school. Make a plan together that safely addresses the problem. Ask the classroom teacher or school administrator for help. Our educators have a different outlook on what is happening and can ensure your child is safe, while dealing with problems immediately as they occur. For more information visit Canadian Safe School Network. |
Although bullying is not accepted in our schools, it does happen. It is important for students to assert themselves and try to resolve the situation. Students should always use their words to solve problems, and not resort to violence. When dealing with a bully, students are encouraged to remember the acronym PAL:
Students are encouraged to have a:
The following websites provide resources to help parents and students.
Parent resources |
Student resources |
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Parents and guardians can also follow these resources below on Twitter for up-to-date information: