Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week in Rainbow Schools

Ontario has designated November 18 to 24, 2012 as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week to help promote safe schools and a positive learning environment. Ontario students, school staff and parents are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effect on student learning and wellbeing. Here is a look at some of the activities taking place in Rainbow Schools leading up to the week and during the week:

A.B. Ellis Public School

Grade 7 and 8 students at A.B. Ellis Public School have been creating video montages on bullying from the perspective of the victim, the bystander and the bully.  The videos follow the same format as the Amanda Todd video.  Students and staff were very moved by Amanda’s story. Students will share their videos at a school assembly.

Carl A. Nesbitt Public School

Singer, songwriter, children’s author, and motivational speaker Errol Lee visited Carl A. Nesbitt Public School on Monday, November 12, 2012 to present “Give Respect – Get Respect”.  Each Wednesday throughout November and December, a small group of students will participate in the “Picnic Club” where Cambrian College Social Work students teach the group about positive social skills.

Chelmsford Public School

Students and staff marked Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week on Monday, November 12, 2012 with a special presentation by motivational speaker and singer Errol Lee.  Throughout the week, students will welcome a guest story reader including Police Chief Frank Elsner, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School Principal Mike Mirka, City Councillor Claude Berthiaume and Director of Education Norm Blaseg.  Each class will participate in anti-bullying activities.  On Friday, the whole school will gather to watch the anti-bullying movie “How to Eat Fried Worms”.  Students and staff will also kick off the school’s toy drive.  Community members are welcome to drop off new toys to the school.

Lansdowne Public School

Students will explore the topic of bullying and its effect on student learning and wellbeing. They will then write about strategies they can use to deal with the different forms of bullying.  They will share these messages with fellow students during morning announcements throughout Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.

MacLeod Public School
Jeremy Diaz will speak to Grade 7 and 8 students, and then the entire staff, on Thursday, November 15, 2012 beginning at 1:30 pm.

Redwood Acres Public School

To kick off Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week, Redwood Acres Public School will launch its Caught You Caring campaign that recognizes people in their school who are helping to make the school and community safer and a more caring place to live, learn and play in. Every student who is “Caught Caring” will receive a ballot to be entered in a draw and their caring gesture will be posted on the school’s wall of fame.  Activities will also take place in classrooms throughout the week. Students will learn the song, "Hey Bully," create posters and dramatic skits, and write about how to stand up against bullying.  In addition, staff and students will be invited to take the Anti-Bullying Pledge.

Valley View Public School

On Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 11:40 am, Jeremy Dias will visit Valley View Public School to deliver an anti-bullying presentation to Grade 7 and 8 students. Jeremy Dias is the Founder and Executive Director of Jer’s Vision: Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative to stop bullying, discrimination and homophobia in schools and communities. Through workshops, presentations, training conferences, and by supporting youth initiatives, Jer’s Vision engages youth in celebrating diversity.

Walden Public School

Errol Lee will entertain students at Walden Public School on Wednesday, November 14, 2012 while educating them about bullying.  An evening presentation will take place at 6 pm for Walden Public School families. Since 2001, Errol Lee has been providing innovative and creative programs specifically designed for character education through interactive concert presentations and workshops. Errol Lee hopes to change the world one concert at a time.

Lockerby Composite School

Jeremy Diaz will be at Lockerby Composite School on Thursday, November 15, 2012 to speak to Grade 9 and 10 students beginning at 8:30 am.  The school’s Anti-bullying Committee and Gay-Straight Alliance will have a special presentation at 9:40 am. Lockerby Composite School is one of six Rainbow Schools hosting presentations by Jeremy Dias on November 14 and 15, 2012.

Dare to Stand Out Conference

Over 150 students and teachers from Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay and New Liskeard will gather at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School on Friday, November 16, 2012 to participate in the Dare to Stand Out Conference. The conference, being hosted in partnership with Jer’s Vision, is the fourth symposium of its kind being presented by Rainbow District School Board. Participants will have an opportunity to meet and network with other Gay-Straight Alliance members as well as educators and gay rights activists from in and around the community.

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Media Contact:

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,

Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,

Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.3171, ext. 7217