Stand Up to Bullying Week
February 20 – 24, 2024, is Stand Up to Bullying Week. Each day this week, as we continue to live out this year’s spiritual theme, Speaking With the Heart, we will reflect on how we can be a witness to God’s love and stand up against all forms of bullying. Schools will be participating in daily prayers, conversation starters, and challenges throughout Stand Up to Bullying Week.
By working together, we can create and maintain a positive school climate, where all members of our school community feel safe, valued, respected, and accepted.
Stand Up to Bullying Week Art Contest
This year, students were invited to submit a piece of original art to promote Stand Up to Bullying Week and Pink Shirt Day. The Safe and Accepting Schools Committee reviewed entries, and selected the following winning submissions:
- Primary (Kindergarten - Grade 3): Rehan from St. Patrick Catholic School
- Junior (Grade 4-6): Ella from Father Fénelon Catholic School
- Intermediate (Grade 7-10): Domenic from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
- Pink Shirt Day: Andrew from St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
Winning submissions will be featured on our websites, social media, and newsletters.
Rehan, St. Patrick Catholic School
Ella, Father Fénelon Catholic School
Domenic, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
Andrew, St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
Community Supports and Services for Students and Families
If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs immediate support, they should be encouraged to:
- call the Durham Crisis Line at 1-800-742-1890; or
- call 310-COPE at 1-855-310-COPE (2673); or
- go to the nearest emergency room.
Students and/or families may also wish to access the following resources:
- Kids Help Phone: is available for anyone age 5 to 20. Counsellors are available 24/7 to support children and teens by phone, text, or online chat in English or French. Call 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868.
- Black Youth Help Line: specifically responds to the need for a black youth specific service. It promotes access to professional, culturally appropriate support for youth. Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (1-833-294-8650).
- First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line: offers immediate mental health counselling and crisis intervention to all Indigenous peoples across Canada. Available 24/7 and toll free in both English and French. (1-855-242-3310).
- DCDSB Social Work Access Line: DCDSB students and families can call the Social Work Access Line and leave a voicemail with their contact information. A DCDSB mental health professional will call them back to provide support. (905- 576-6150 ext. 21021) Note: This is not a crisis line and is not monitored 24/7.
- Be Safe: is a mobile app that aims to help youth make a decision about seeking help in a crisis. Be Safe was developed in full partnership with youth and professionals. It helps youth find help when they need it and supports them through the process of reaching out when it feels overwhelming. Download the BeSafe app today.
- LGBT Youth Line: call 1-800-268-9688; text 647-694-4275; or online chat https://www.youthline.ca.
- LGBTQ Prideline Durham Helpline: call 1-855-87-PRIDE (77433).
For additional mental health supports visit our Mental Health & Well-Being webpage.
Report It
Students and families are encouraged to use DCDSB's Report It system to report non-emergency incidents of bullying and other schools safety issues (for example vandalism). Please note that Report It is not monitored on a 24 hour basis. If this is an emergency, call 911. If a student needs immediate emotional support, please call:
- Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868;
- York Support Services Network: 1-855-310-2673 or 1-866-323-7785;
- Durham Crisis Line at 1-800-742-1890; or
- Go to the nearest emergency room.