Bullying adversely affects the school climate and a student’s ability to learn. Bullying will not be accepted on school, property, at school-related activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances (e.g. online) where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate.1
Every school in Ontario is required to prevent and address inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour such as bullying among students in the schools. Principals are required to ensure that bullying prevention and intervention policies are implemented at the School-level.2 Schools are required to have in place a Safe and Accepting Schools Team that should include at least one student and must include one parent, one teacher, one non-teaching staff member, one community partner, and the principal.3 In addition, Schools are required to hold an annual Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week4 and administer anonymous school climate surveys.5
School staff must take seriously all allegations of bullying behaviour and act in a timely, sensitive, and supportive manner when responding to students who disclose or report bullying incidents.6 The principal should put in place procedures that allow students, staff, parents, and non-board employees to safely report incidents of bullying to the principal. 7
Schools are to provide programs, interventions, and other supports for students who have been bullied, students who have witnessed incidents of bullying, and students who have engaged in bullying, 8 in a curriculum-linked manner and consistent with the progressive discipline approach.9 Supports may be provided by school-based employees of the Board, through board programs and resource personnel, or through community-based service provides, including social service agencies and mental health agencies. A range of supports should be available – from early intervention to more intensive interventions in cases of persistent bullying, with possible referral to community-based service providers.10
Parents are valued partners and active participants in their children`s education. It is important that parents have opportunities for ongoing dialogue with the school to help and address inappropriate behaviour, build healthy relationships, and help sustain positive school climates.11 Principals must set up a process for parents to follow if they have concerns about the support their child is receiving and offer parents more opportunities to learn about student safety and school climate.12 The Ontario Government has published brochure for parents called “Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It”.13
The risk factors cited most often by parents for their children leaving school were the experiences of bullying and lack of protection offered by educators.
Early Leavers: Understanding the Lived Reality of Student Disengagement from Secondary Schools Report, May 2005. www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/schoolleavers.pdf
1. Bullying Prevention and Intervention, PPM No. 144 (December 5, 2012), p.6.
2. Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., ss.303.1.
3. Bullying Prevention and Intervention, PPM No. 144 (December 5, 2012), p.12.
4. Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., ss.300.0.2(1) and ss.300.0.2(2).
5. Ibid., ss.169.1(2.1).
6.Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., ss.301(7.1)(h).
7. Ibid., ss.301(7.1)(e) and ss.301(7.1)(f).
8 Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., s.170 (1) (7.2).
9.Bullying Prevention and Intervention, PPM No. 144 (December 5, 2012), p. 7
10. Ibid.
11. School Board Briefing on Bill 13 and Policy and Program Changes, Ministry of Education, December 2013, p. 16.
12.Education Act R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER E., s.300.3 (9).
13. Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It, Ontario Ministry of Education, Spring 2011. Online: http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/bullying.pdf.