The York Catholic District School Board proudly supports Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, November 16-22.
St. Elizabeth Catholic High School in Thornhill will mark the week by promoting positive messages of inclusion and diversity. On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, guest speakers from YouthSpeak Performance Charitywill speak to the school’s Grade 10 students, about bullying and students will share their personal experiences and struggles having to do with bullying and mental health issues. Resources for students who might be experiencing their own struggles will be shared and promoted.
Throughout the week, members of the school’s ESP (Empowered Students Partnerships) committee will visit classes to promote the hashtag, #ESPShareAQuote, where students are encouraged to tweet their positive messages about anti-bullying. The tweets, as well as prayers, will be shared within the school, through a series of announcements and displays on school TV screens. ESP committee members will also use the quotes to create a school mural that will serve as a permanent presentation of inspirational messages that can help to create a positive environment in the school.
YRP School Resource Officer, Officer Rob, will also visit St. Elizabeth CHS to speak to students about the effects of bullying.
San Lorenzo Ruiz Catholic Elementary School in Markham recently had Speaker, Paul Davis visit the school to talk to Grade 4-8 students about cyberbullying.
Davis spoke to students about the dangers related to social networks, online video gaming and other web-based applications. He also discussed the concept of “electronic etiquette” with students. He addressed internet safety with specific steps that students can take to protect themselves online, and what to do if they encounter cyberbullying. Davis highlighted potential lifetime consequences of inappropriate use of social media and different ways to leave a positive online footprint. Woven through his message were themes of respect and personal safety. The students were highly engaged by this thought provoking presentation.
The York Catholic District School Board believes that all members of its learning community have the right to a safe learning and teaching environment and that each person is responsible for creating and sustaining that environment. Respect for self and others, contributing to the common good, accepting accountability and responsibility for one’s own actions, seeking and granting forgiveness, acting morally and legally as a person formed in the Catholic traditions, and the promotion of self-discipline are cornerstones of this belief.
Students can now report bullying, violent incidents, vandalism, and other inappropriate behaviours to their school principals through the Board’s new Report It! website.
Report It! gives students an opportunity to confidentially report bullying incidents. All tips and information received will be investigated. The Report It! webpage is intended for non-emergency incidents only and students requiring immediate help are encouraged to speak to a trusted adult, or call Kids Help Phone or 911, as appropriate.