Page 16 - AMDSB DAR 2018-2019

Safe & Welcome Learning Environment
AMDSB schools should be places where everyone - children, students, staff, parents and community - feels welcome, safe and respected.
(Ontario’s Well Being Strategy)
Implement a safe schools campaign to identify and respond appropriately to bullying and conflict
A campaign was created to highlight the differences between bullying and conflict and involved the following components:
• Posters (elementary and secondary versions) posted in all schools
• Staff, student and parent education about the use of appropriate language
• Social media promotion of the posters and language
• A 1-week campaign highlighted the different forms by which bullying may present itself, how to
combat bullying, and ‘where do we go from here’ as areas of foci throughout the week. Each day during the week focused on a different theme:
DAY 1
Conflict
is it
CONFLICT:
• two or more people having a fight, an argument or disagreement
• there is a similar balance of power (both people are close in grade, age and ability) • a solution can usually be found
Ignore. Say STOP. Report to an adult if it doesn’t stop!
TEASING:
• usually starts as joking and having fun • someone begins to get angry or bothered
• it is not funny anymore
• there is a similar balance of power (both people are close in grade, age and ability)
Ignore. Say STOP. Report to an adult if it doesn’t stop!
DAY 2
Bullying
DAY 3
Cyberbullying
DAY 4
Fight bullying with kindness and strength of character
DAY 5
Where do we go from here?
BULLYING?
BULLYING?
BULLYING:
is it
CONFLICT:
BULLYING:
• repeated, unwanted, targeted, and ag- gressive behaviour
• someone is being hurt on purpose
• there may be an imbalance of power (one
is much younger or much older, for example)
Tell the bully to stop.
Seek help from an adult you trust.
AGGRESSION:
• an overreaction to a strong emotion or feeling
• happens once and does not repeat
Tell the person to stop.
Tell an adult you trust if you are hurt or if the behaviour is repeated.
Schools continue to follow their safe schools/ anti-bullying plans and provide opportunities to address respect for others and anti-bullying strategies. Administrators use the language and definitions for “conflict” and “bullying” in conversations with parents and students. All families have the option to receive newsletters sent through SchoolMessenger. This information has helped to raise awareness among families.
• repeated, unwanted, targeted, and aggressive behaviour
• someone is being hurt on purpose
• an imbalance of power (one is much younger or much older, for example)
Say STOP.
Report to an adult!
AGGRESSION:
• an overreaction to a strong emotion or
feeling • usually starts as joking and having fun
• someone begins to get angry or bothered • it is not funny anymore
• there is a similar balance of power (both
people are close in grade, age and ability)
Try to ignore the teasing.
Tell the person you would like it to stop.
Tell an adult you trust if the teasing continues.
• happens once and does not repeat
Say STOP.
Report to an adult!
Elicit student voice in school level decision-making
• • •
two or more people having a fight, an argument or disagreement
there is a similar balance of power (both people are close in grade, age and ability) a solution can usually be found
Try ignoring the conflict.
Try to resolve the conflict. Talk to an adult you trust if the conflict continues.
TEASING:
In order to ensure that schools provide a safe and welcoming learning environment, students themselves can provide valuable insight. Listening to the voice of students enables our schools to reach this goal. Speak Up grants promote student engagement and success in Ontario’s schools. They support students in sharing ideas and collaborating with others to shape their educational experience. Speak Up Projects help students lead projects that can make a difference in their schools. In AMDSB, the grants were provided to nine schools to fund 10 projects to promote voice, and other community-based projects. In addition, other grants were offered to schools (e.g. United Way You in Action grant, Youth Engagement - Huron Perth Centre).
AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD | 2018-2019 Director’s Annual Report | 16