Manitouwadge H.S.: Making Ontario Schools Safer – Bullying Prevention
Student Code of Conduct – What’s New in Our Schools
Under the new legislation Bill 13 and 14 dealing with anti-bullying and progressive discipline our school continues to work towards creating a positive school culture for all students and recognize that when issues to do arise that an investigation will be conducted.
The new Ontario approach is to make schools safer. It focuses on:
- Promoting positive student behaviour
- Providing early and ongoing intervention
- Preventing inappropriate behaviour
- Addressing inappropriate behaviour with appropriate consequences
Ontario has shifted away from an approach that is solely punitive towards progressive discipline, a new approach that corrects inappropriate behaviour and offers multiple supports. (Taken from Making Ontario’s Schools Safer – What Parents Need to Know)
It is important to note that also under the new legislation the Ministry has defined Bullying as:
Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance. (Taken from Bullying – We can all help stop it).
Gather additional information at the Ministry website http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/safeschools.html
You can also download 2 publications from the website –
- Making Ontario’s Schools Safer
- What Parents Need to Know
- BULLYING- WE CAN ALL HELP STOP IT (This brochure for parents explains what to watch for, what to do and where to get help.)
It is important as parents/guardians that you take the time to have a read through the documents provided and if you have concern please don’t hesitate to contact the school. This way we can all be proactive in providing your child with a positive school environment. We do have counsellors available in the school and sessions/presentations are conducted in the school based that include issues of cyber-bullying, bullying, and safe practices in our community.
One of the components of the legislation is to have a Safe Schools Team. If any parent is interested on being on the committee please contact the school. The team is responsible for school safety and includes at least one parent, plus school staff, a student (where appropriate) and a community partner.
