Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week celebrated in Upper Grand Schools November 17-21
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
November 13, 2014
GUELPH, Ontario – Poster competitions, flash mobs, wearing pink, guest speakers, singers and special presentations will mark Ontario’s Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week in Upper Grand schools November 17 to 21.
“There’s lots of talk about the effects of social media on the bullying landscape, but we can’t forget that it goes on in other arenas, too,” says Board Chair Mark Bailey.
“It’s about inclusion of everyone, feeling and being safe and cared for at school. No one is immune to bullying behavior.”
Schools plan their individual programs providing age appropriate activities with the help of students in many cases. Character education plays a part along with developing social media literacy, such as the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other platforms.
Messages are brought to students by entertainers, like singer/songwriter Ryan Laird and Sara Westbrook with her UPower concert, parents, and other children who have had bullying affect them at some point in their lives.
The board also has its own on-line “Report Bullying” tool at www.ugdsb.ca/reportbullying where students can report any bullying activity they have seen or heard and experienced. Every report is followed up by school staff.
To mark the day there’s a new social media hashtag, #UGDSBstandup. The board invites its schools, students and others to use the hashtag all week long to Tweet out their messages. It’s a place for photos of things going on in schools, art work, and words of support to build awareness and prevention of bullying.
Many students have earned a trip to the Waterloo Region’s We Day on Thursday November 20, run in conjunction with Free The Children. This year the celebration is at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium and features an impressive talent line-up.
“We’re really pleased that our area’s We Day falls during Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week,” Bailey said.
“All of this week’s activities will help our students take a moment to think about others and how they treat them. In school, at home or around the world, that’s the way to stop bullying where it starts.”
For more information:
Maggie McFadzen, Communications Officer
519-822-4420 ext.725
[email protected]
Mark Weidmark, Administrative Officer – Communications
519-822-4420 ext.544
[email protected]
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