Bullying Prevention, Intervention and Reporting

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Introduction

It is the policy of the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) to provide students with an opportunity to learn and develop in a safe, inclusive, and accepting school climate. As part of this mandate, the board will strive to eliminate all forms of bullying through prevention and intervention strategies which foster positive learning environments, support academic achievement, and help students to reach their full potential.

Definition

Bullying: As defined in section 1 of the Education Act “bullying” means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where, (a) the behaviour is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour would be likely to have the effect of, (i) causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or (ii) creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and (b) the behaviour occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education (“intimidation”).

For the purposes of this definition of “bullying”, behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic (“cyber-bullying”), written or other means.

Cyber-bullying: As defined in section 1 of the Education Act, “cyber-bullying” is bullying by electronic means, including, (a) creating a web page or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person (b) impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; and (c) communicating material electronically to more than one individual or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals.

Reporting

We encourage everyone to report any incidents of bullying. There are multiple ways to report in the UGDSB.

Online Bullying Reporting Tool: An online bullying reporting tool is available to UGDSB students in every grade – victims or witnesses – to report incidents at any time, from anywhere. The tool makes it easy for kids to reach out and let an adult in authority know when there’s a problem. Parents are also welcome to use the tool, either to report incidents they have witnessed themselves, or by passing on second-hand accounts from younger children. This tool can be easily found on the board’s website, school websites or on the UGCloud landing page for students. Reports go directly to the school principal for follow-up.
- School administrators will receive the report and will respond accordingly dependent upon the situation reported and the availability of contact information

Contact school staff directly (Click here for contact information for each UGDSB school)
- Educators and administrators are key personnel with whom to make a report of bullying.

What happens when a report is made?

All bullying incidents reported to staff must be documented by staff using the online Safe Schools Incident Reporting Form. School administration will investigate each incident involving victims, witnesses and those bullying others accordingly.

What happens if I am not satisfied with the school’s response?

The Upper Grand District School Board believes in developing strong and positive relationships with students, parents/guardians and the community. It is also committed to addressing concerns of stakeholders in a fair, respectful and timely manner.If parents / caregivers are not satisfied with the school’s response we would encourage them to follow the steps outlined in our Public Concerns Policy 215, which provides multiple steps to ensure concerns are addressed:
- Step 1 – Review of the issue with the child’s teacher
- Step 2 – Review by the school principal
- Step 3 – Review by the Superintendent of Education
- Step 4 – Review by the Executive Superintendent of Education
- Step 5 – Review by the Director of Education
- Step 6 – Register as a delegation and present to trustees

For more information about bullying prevention, intervention and reporting please see the UGDSB Safe Schools Policy 503.

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plans make up one part of a whole school approach to helping children and youth to feel safe, included and engaged in school. We know that by working with parents and community partners to develop supports and interventions for our students that we will continue to create safe and welcoming learning environments for all of our students to enhance their success and well-being.

To view the UGDSB Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, please click here.

Events

Bullying Prevention and Awareness Week

Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment. During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, Ontario students, school staff and parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and well-being. Learn more here.

Resources to support parents/caregivers:

Pink Shirt Day

Pink Shirt Day falls on the last Wednesday of February every year. The aim of the day is to create a more kind, inclusive world by raising awareness and funds for anti-bullying initiatives. Learn more here.

International Day of Pink

Discrimination takes many shapes, whether it’s based on race, age, disabilities, gender or sexuality. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is no stranger to the bullying and violence that stems from hateful beliefs. While progress has been made towards removing these social barriers from our society, discrimination still persists. So, every year, on the second Wednesday of April, folks around the world are urged to put on a pink shirt and stand in solidarity with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to continue fighting for equality and acceptance. International Day of Pink has one purpose, to create a more inclusive and diverse world, by encouraging young people to challenge social norms, ask more of their educators, and stand up against bullying towards their 2SLGBTQIA+ peers. Over the years International Day of Pink has worked with countless educators, politicians and organizations around Canada to spread this message and create young activists for this mission. Learn more here.

See how the UGDSB celebrated the 2022 International Day of Pink!

Report Bullying Steps Infographic