How Do Schools Deal with Bullying?
All students, parents, staff and community members are encouraged to work with their Safe Schools Team, school council, student council and community partners to address bullying throughout the year. Schools that have bullying prevention and intervention strategies in place foster a positive learning and teaching environment that supports academic achievement for all students and helps students reach their full potential.
Every school must:
- Develop and implement school-wide bullying prevention and intervention plans as part of their School Improvement Plan;
- Have procedures to report bullying incidents safely and in a way that will minimize the possibility of reprisal;
- Address incidents of bullying in an appropriate and timely manner;
- Provide strategies and support for students who have been bullied, students who bullied others, bystanders, and others who have been affected by observing bullying.
Specific Initiatives:
- Every school has a Safe Schools Team working to promote a safer and more welcoming learning environment;
- All schools participate in Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week with planned activities or that heighten awareness of bullying and its impact on the school community.
District/Ministry of Education Initiatives and Events:
- OCDSB Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy and Procedure
- OCDSB Youth Character Conference
- OCDSB Rainbow Youth Forum