CONNECTS JUNE 2013
SPECIAL EDITION
ANTI-BULLYING POLICIES & ACTION PLAN UPDATED
COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL
Message from the Headmaster our definition of bullying and distinguishing it clearly from interpersonal conflict. There is also a section for parents, which includes some on-line resources and some suggestions if you sense your child is being bullied, or could be a bully. Finally, you’ll learn about some next steps we are taking to further educate and hopefully eradicate bullying at our school.
Last fall we published a special edition of Connects that highlighted our anti-bullying policies to date and an action plan for this year. Although the issue of bullying gained much notoriety in BC because of the terrible Amanda Todd case, we at Collingwood have always taken this issue seriously, and we are always looking for ways to improve the quality of our learning environment. We see the diversity of the Collingwood community, as a special opportunity to learn and practice understanding, tolerance and compassion and feel strongly that impinging on the well being of others or violating their rights is totally unacceptable. In the following pages you’ll learn about the various classroom activities, seminars, presentations, research and professional development that has taken place at both campuses around the issue of bullying. At the same time, we put some work into evolving
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Our basic approach to reported bullying; namely, candor, transparency and close communication with home will continue with as much purpose and sensitivity as possible. Our protocols around how we conduct investigations, the principles we apply in any serious disciplinary matter, and the consequences of major rule infringement all remain in place. These were outlines in the first anti-bullying bulletin, but can be found online at http://issuu.com/collingwoodschool/docs/ antibullying_connectsv6. Although this year we’ve had an all out effort to better understand bullying and put in play measures to ameliorate it, we have not fooled ourselves into thinking we have this issue licked. We promise to continue to be vigilant and decisive at School and in constant communication with home. We’re in this together.
Rodger Wright Headmaster
BULLYING POLICY AT COLLINGWOOD BULLYING DEFINITION (updated April 2013)
INTER-PERSONAL CONFLICT DEFINITION
Collingwood School defines bullying as any
Collingwood School defines Inter-personal
repeated negative, aggressive action that is
conflict as a disagreement or differing of views
intended to (or should be known to) hurt,
between two or more people over a particular
humiliate, demean, frighten or exclude someone.
idea, though, or action. This can occur as a
This pattern of behaviour can create an imbalance
one-off situation, or be repeating.
of power between the people involved.
It is important to note, however, that this disagreement in inter-personal conflict differs from bullying in that: n
There is no malicious intent.
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There is no change in the power dynamic between those parties disagreeing.
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There is no change in the social status of those involved.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE BEING BULLIED Students who believe they are being bullied or
produce a satisfactory result, find someone
harassed are asked where appropriate, to bring the
else that you trust to help you deal with the
matter to the attention of the person responsible
situation. For a student, that may be a
for the conduct. Tell that person his/her behaviour
Housemaster, Mentor Teacher, a teacher or
is unwelcome, and ask him/her to stop.
coach.
If you do not wish to bring the matter directly to the attention of the person responsible or where such an approach is attempted and does not
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What have we done this year to address Bullying at the Wentworth campus? understand and articulate their emotions which are directly connected to their ability to self-regulate and express their emotions. Research suggests that this approach has a significant impact on tackling bullying, anti-social behavior and anxiety. Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl’s work was summarized and promoted on the Wentworth Blog and included her article Educating the Heart.
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Ian Kennedy Head of the Wentworth Campus
As a school community we have worked to define bullying and how it differs from day to day interpersonal conflict.
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A new Wentworth Counsellor was hired to help students who are struggling with social, emotional and behavioural issues and help educate all students with respect to social and emotional learning.
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We had Madeline Levine, best selling author of Teach Your Children Well, present to the faculty and parents.
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Courteous and respectful behaviour are modeled and taught at every opportunity.
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We have tracked and managed all reported cases of bullying and used an age appropriate and restorative approach.
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We celebrated Pink Day - this included guest speakers, student leaders, bullying awareness and education.
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Faculty participated in professional development with Dr. Kimberly Schonert-Reichl from UBC. Dr. Schonert-Reichl is an expert in the area Social Emotional Learning and Bullying. We are working on helping our students build greater capacity to recognize,
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We have redeveloped the Wentworth Discipline Policies, Bullying Policies and Essential Agreements.
Bullying is discussed in age appropriate language and forums. This includes inquiry blocks, homeroom lessons and assemblies.
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We have updated the Wentworth Online Acceptable Use Policy to include grades 3-7. In the fall, we hosted a parent night on Internet Safety and Cyberbullying.
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We have had numerous lessons on digital citzenship and acceptable online behaviours.
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We have had the West Vancouver Police do a presentation on Cyber Bullying for the grade 6 and 7 students.
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We initiated the Wentworth Legacy Totem Project that speaks to the values of honesty, community and kindness.
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What have we done this year to address Bullying at the Morven campus? was at the B.C. government’s ERASE Bullying Summit (Nov. 13, 2012) with Premier Christy Clark and Education Minister, Don McRae. Our Gr. 10 & 11 male students attend “The Boy’s Club” presentation at Kay Meek Theatre where issues related to violence and gangs were addressed.
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Our Gr. 10 & 11 female students watched the film “Miss Representation”, and then did small group discussions with our teachers on the media’s message about girls and women and how it is affecting our youth.
n Lisa Evans Head of Morven campus
We have tracked and managed all reported cases of bullying and used an age appropriate approach focused upon learning and changing the behaviour.
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We formed an Anti-Bullying Committee comprised of 6 Middle and Senior School teachers, the Director of Risk Management, and the Head of Morven.
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We researched 7 different schools and 4 school districts in terms of their definition of bullying, as well as policies & procedures related to handling reported cases.
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Students initiated the creation of Collingwood’s first Allies Club - the goal is to unite LGBT students, straight allies, and members of the school community to make schools safer.
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Jennifer Dousett, Head of Technology Integration, and Cst. Tammy Khorram, our West Vancouver Police Department School Liaison Officer, spoke to the Gr. 8, 9 and 11 class about bullying and digital citizenship.
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We had Merlyn Horton – from SOLOS (Safe Online Outreach Society) - speak to our Gr. 8 & 9 students. Most recently, Ms. Horton
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Our Gr. 12 students had a presentation by Jennifer Dousett and Brian McDonald about digital citzenship and the implications of on-line behaviour in post-secondary life and in relation to the law.
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We had our Allies Club and other student leaders promote and oversee our annual Anti-Bullying Week and Pink Shirt Day.
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We had Grade 8-12 students complete a Collingwood School Bullying Survey on Mon. Feb. 25th as part of Anti-Bullying Week.
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Our Committee reviewed the data from the survey and then reported back to the SLUGS, the Morven Faculty, and the student body on our key findings.
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Our Committee wrote a new bullying definition for the Collingwood School website & student agenda.
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Andrew Shirkoff & Lisa Evans were asked to join the ISABC Citizenship (anti-bullying) Programme – the goal is to create a philosophy statement and common definition of bullying that can be used by all ISABC schools
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QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS I think my child is being bullied. What should I do? n
Listen to your child and assure him/her that
is their right to feel safe. n
Use the definitions or bullying and
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Follow up on the steps for ending the
bullying that were agreed to at the meeting. n
Speak to the instructor or coach if the
inter-personal conflict to determine if
bullying is taking place during after-school
bullying has occurred.
activities or sports events.
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Be clear on the facts. Make notes about
what happened and when it happened.
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Contact police if the bullying involves
criminal behaviour, such as sexual assault or use of a weapon, or if the threat to your
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Help your child see that there is a
difference between “ratting” or “telling”and reporting. It takes courage to report. Reporting is done not to cause trouble for another student, but to protect all students. n
Make an appointment to talk to your child’s
Teacher, Counsellor, House Master, Director or Head of School. n
Difficult as it may be, try to remain calm so
that you can support your child and plan a course of action with him or her. n
Stay on course. Keep an eye on your child’s
behaviour. If your meetings with school staff haven’t made the bullying stop follow up again.
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child’s safety is in the community rather than the school.
QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS Is it possible that my child is bullying others? What should I do? n
Children who physically bully other
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Paraphrase back what you hear them say
students may also come home with bruises,
and have them take ownership over their
scrapes and torn clothing. Is your child coming
actions.
home with unaccounted money or property? n n
Children who bully sometimes do so at home
as well as at school. Is one of your children
Provide consequences for the behaviour
and establish positive ways that he/she can earn those privileges back.
being bullied by a sibling? n n
Is your child displaying aggressive behaviour
Seek assistance and resources from
teachers, the school, community services
or a lack of empathy and compassion towards
or religious leaders. School connectedness
parents, teachers, friends or animals?
is strongly associated with positive mental health and wellness.
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Bullying can develop over a long period of
time or as a result of major changes, losses or
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upsets in a child’s or teen’s life. Have any of
leadership skills in your child - help him/her
your children recently had this kind of
gain some positive attention and new
experience?
interests.
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If you suspect or have been told that your
Provide opportunities to develop positive
(Adapted from the following sources: http://
child is bullying others, you need to take it
www.surrey.ca/files/ParentsGuideonBullying.
seriously and address the situation in a calm,
pdf, http://www.erasebullying.ca/parents/
open-minded manner.
parents-warning.php and Ontario Ministry of Education, “Bullying - We Can All Help Stop It:
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You should make it very clear that the
bullying behaviour must stop immediately. n
A Guide for Parents of Elementary and Secondary School Students”, Spring 2011.)
Find out if there is something happening at
school or at home that is causing them to act out - try to find out the reasons and possible motivation for the bullying behaviour.
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NEXT STEPS: n
Work with students to teach the difference
between bullying and inter-personal conflict
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We will be focusing some Pro-D time on
helping our teachers become more aware of what to look for and how to address
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Continue to teach students what to do if
they are being bullied/harassed n
Conduct a survey in 2013/2014 to
bullying/harassment in classrooms and around the school n
Continue to bring in speakers/presentations
compare data with our 2012/2013 Bullying
on the issue for both the Collingwood students
Survey- are we making positive progress?
as well as their families
RESOURCES: http://www.erasebullying.ca/parents/parents.php http://www.digitaltattoo.ubc.ca/protect-yourself/prevent-cyberbullying/ http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/teens/home.aspx http://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/cyberbullying-toolkit
COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL