Cornell Village Public School—www.cvps.ca

Dealing with Bullying

Bullying:Let's Work Together to Make it Stop

Reporting Incidents of Bullying

Posted: March 27, 2009

In keeping with our Character Counts at Cornell program, we have been reviewing with our students the importance of reporting incidents of bullying to an adult that they trust. We have reminded them of the difference between tattling and reporting. Tattling is what you do to get someone into trouble; reporting is what you do to get someone out of trouble.

The York Region District School Board takes bullying very seriously. Every type of report is investigated and dealt with based on the merits of the situation. At Cornell Village Public School, our goal is to always provide a safe and comfortable learning environment. That means our approach to bullying may range from education and making students aware of how their behaviour impacts on others, to a suspension in severe cases. We take special care to help the victim who must feel empowered to act and get help from a trusted adult—this is very difficult for many students. We involve the parents of both the victim and the aggressor.

Please feel free to contact Principal Wilton if you have any questions or concerns regarding bullying.

Here are two Web sites that you and your family may find helpful as resources: Bullying: We Can All Help Stop It from the Ministry of Education and the Kids Help Phone.

Bullying—Let’s Work Together To Make It Stop

Whether we like it or not, bullying is a part of childhood. The teachers at Cornell Village Public School have been working hard with the students this year to identify and report bullying in the schoolyard and to teach the students how to respond if bullying happens to them.

Research over the last 30 years has consistently shown that bullying among children can have serious negative effects on bullies, their victims and the community. These effects can have an impact in later years when those involved become adults. We as parents can help to prevent this from escalating further.

What are the defining elements of bullying?

  • Bullying behavior involves a power imbalance, for example size, number of students, and status.
  • There is intent to cause distress.
  • The victim experiences distress.

If it is not stopped, bullying behavior is often repeated. Bullying is typically hidden from adults because the victims do not want to report the incident as they are embarrassed, afraid it might happen again, or concerned they will be considered a “tattletale.”

Bullying Comes in Many Forms

Direct:

  • Verbal (insults, teasing)
  • Physical (pushing, shoving, assault)
  • Psychological (threats, intimidation, extortion)

Indirect:

  • Exclusion, shunning
  • Gossip and rumors
  • Relational aggression (telling someone not to be friends with another student)

What can parents do?

  • Talk to your children about bullying.
  • Teach your children the coping skills needed to help them manage an incident if it should happen to them.
  • Teach them how to respond in a non-violent way.
  • If your child tells you about a bullying problem, take it seriously, listen and offer help. If the incident occurs at school, please report the problem to the office.

For more information

The Community Alliance for York Region (CAYRE) has a video “Put the Brakes on Bullying”, a bully prevention program that helps to address the serious issue of bullying in the community. Ask the school for a copy or refer to the York Region District School Board Web site.

Source: Community Alliance for York Region Education (CAYRE) and the York Region District School Board web site.

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