Students in the Upper Grand District School Board stood up to bullying this week, as schools in Ontario recognized Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, Nov. 18 to 24.
Bullying is everywhere, but many students have decided there’s no place for it in their schools – and they, together with teachers, parents and school administrations are working against it.
In the recent past the Upper Grand Student Senate was behind the “So What?” pink t-shirt campaign, which included the making of the documentary film by former student trustee Alex Vander Vlugt.
Making schools safer
This year, with the passage of Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, every school is engaged in strategies that include safe school committees, bullying prevention plans, school climate surveys and staff training.
During Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week students get in on the act, participating in a wide variety of activities and events.
Some examples of what’s happening in schools include:
– the Student Senate is involved in the organization of Awareness Assemblies in secondary schools;
– some schools, both elementary and secondary, have invited guest speakers and presenters. Each of the speakers bring a message that highlights the dangers and damage done by acts of bullying, and encourages all members of school communities to take a stand to support tolerance and acceptance amongst their peers;
– in many schools bullying prevention will be a topic for classroom discussion, with a review of what to do if bullying takes place;
– many students and staff are wearing bracelets or pink clothing and t-shirts to show their support for bullying prevention;
– students will be making posters for display in school hallways, one of the places where students say that bullying is most likely to occur; and
– students in some schools are producing videos that will be shared at assemblies or during morning TV announcements.
Since bullying is not just a school issue, but a community issue, some schools invited parents to participate in Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week events or activities.
For more information about preventing bullying, download “Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It” at www.ugdsb.on.ca/bullying.
