1. School District #59 Strategies for Safe Schools 2012-13

2. SD#59 Has Strong Policy SD#59 has one of the strongest anti-bullying and harrassment policies in the province of BC. Policy 4390:  Of paramount concern to the Board of Education is that all people entering School District #59 environments must feel physically, psychologically and emotionally safe for the period of time that the school district holds responsibility.  Visible minority groups and/or individuals that enter School District #59 environments with vulnerabilities shall receive particular supports as they strive, work, learn and develop to their full potential.

3. SD#59 Has Strong Policy cont…  Schools will intentionally foster the highest standards of acceptance and equity for all, regardless of their appearance, capacity, disability, color, ethnicity, religion, real and/or perceived sexual orientation.  Schools will develop regulations that are in compliance with the BC Human Rights Code and with SD#59 policy. This will be represented in school codes of conduct

4.  Secondary schools have strong Administration and student leadership who work to support a bullying-free environment.  Every school is expected to intentionally teach social emotional learning programs with a focus on anti-bullying.  Restorative Practice is used to restore and (re)build peer relationships. SD#59 Programs

5.  SD#59 has 3 teachers trained and working as elementary school counsellors and 4 teachers trained and working as secondary school counsellors. There are 5 intervention workers who work with elementary counsellors.  A trained Mental Health counsellor, qualified to do risk-assessments where violence may be part of the problem. What Else?

6. Practices  SD #59 principals have the ability to prevent, under law, access to the school by anyone posing a threat to students.  RCMP liaison officers work with schools in cases of bullying and cyber-bullying.

7. Getting at the Problem  All principals and staff will have the Expect Respect And a Safe Education (ERASE) bullying training. (To occur over the next 5 years.)  The school district is developing a student Threat and Risk Assessment protocol that will identify and support students with worrisome behaviors.  Students and parents will have access to a web based anonymous reporting tool for bullying incidents.

8. ERASE Bullying Strategy: Expect Respect and a Safe Education Building on effective programs already in place, this strategy is about personalizing services and supports to help prevent, identify and stop harmful behaviours – whether online, at school or in the community Builds on previous Safe, Caring and Orderly Schools strategy (2004)

9. Consider this: Bullying, different from conflict, is an imbalance of power with a repeated intention to harm Help for the bullied, the bully and bystanders (helpful and hurtful) Focus on School Connectedness Focus on Social Emotional Learning

10. Consider this: What are kids filling themselves with? Safe and caring schools is the ultimate prevention tool

11. Online Reporting Tool www.erasebullying.ca