UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Elementary School Bullying Prevention Plan and
Safe, Equitable and Inclusive School Strategy

(To be reviewed and posted to school website in September of each year)

SCHOOL: ÉCOLE FRED A. HAMILTON                                              DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

Everyone at our school is committed to making our school a safe, inclusive and equitable environment for all.  We treat each other with respect and we will refuse to tolerate inequities in any form at our school. We know that a “whole-school” approach where all stakeholders are involved in supporting our students helps create and maintain a positive school climate.

Definition of Bullying:

“Bullying” means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a student where,

1. The behavior is intended by the student to have the effect of, or the student ought to know that the behavior would be likely to have the effect of,

• causing harm, fear or distress to another individual, including physical, psychological, social or academic harm, harm to the individual’s reputation or harm to the individual’s property, or

• creating a negative environment at a school for another individual, and

1. The behavior occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the student and the individual based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, family circumstances, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or special education needs.

Bullying takes different forms of contexts with age.  It can be physical, verbal, social/emotional or through electronic means (cyber-bullying).  Bystanders contribute to bullying by doing nothing to prevent it or become actively involved in supporting it.

“Cyberbullying” includes electronic communication that:

• Is used to upset, threaten or embarrass another person.

• Uses email, cell phones, text messages and social media sites to threaten, harass, embarrass, socially exclude or damage reputations and friendships.

• includes put downs, insults and can also involve spreading rumours, sharing private information, photos or videos or threatening to harm someone.

Examples of Bullying

• PHYSICAL AGGRESSION: e.g., hitting, pushing, stealing, damaging property

• VERBAL AGGRESSION: e.g., insults, threats, taunting someone in a hurtful way, name calling, making sexist, racist or homophobic comments

• SOCIAL OR RELATIONAL AGGRESSION: e.g., spreading rumours about someone, excluding someone, gossiping

• ELECTRONIC (Cyberbullying): e.g., spreading rumors and/or hurtful comments through the use of email, cell phones (texts) or on social media.

Safe Schools Committee

(Note: mandatory for all schools – an existing committee may assume this role)

School Administrator:  Christine Labelle  

Equity Rep: Jennifer Burkhart, Elizabeth McIntyre

Teacher(s): Tiffany Mui, Leslee Hodges

Support Staff:  Lisa Longtin

Student Rep: Mme Mui’s Grade 6 Class and Mme McIntyre’s Grade 5/6 Class    

Parent: Mary Marrocco, Liz Martineau

The role of this committee should include but is not limited to the following:

• Develop and annually review the School Bullying Prevention Plan

• Implement and analyze data from the School Climate Survey (WHY – Wellness Health of Youth Survey) – every two years

• Identify and implement bullying prevention and intervention programs that address the needs of the school

• Identify relationship building and community building programs relevant to the needs of the school

• Assist with training and awareness raising strategies for staff, students and parents/ guardians

• Communicate bullying prevention and intervention strategies and reporting procedures to the school community

School Monitoring and Review Process

This Bullying Prevention and Inclusive School Plan was developed or reviewed by our Safe School Committee in September in 2023,

Our most recent school climate (WHY) survey was conducted in the Spring, 2022:  

85% of students in Grades 4-6, 68% of parents, and 100% of staff completed our most recent school climate survey.

Data from our most recent climate (WHY) survey indicated that:

100% of students in Grades 4-6 feel very safe at school.

19.8% of students in Grades 4-6 identified that they have been bullied at school or on the bus in the past year.

69.2% of students in Grades 4-6 indicated that they told an adult about bullying that had occurred.

Training Strategies for Staff and Members of the School Community

Members of our school community will receive Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive training through:

• ☒Board professional development workshops

• ☒Online training for new employees

• ☒Staff meetings

• ☒Provision of professional development materials and resources

• ☐Other (please specify)

Parents/Community Communication and Outreach Strategies

We will communicate our Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive strategies and initiatives by:

• ☒Including information inserts in our school newsletters and other in-house publications

• ☒Sharing information during school assemblies and announcements

• ☒Sharing information through bulletin board postings

• ☒Sharing information at School Council and other parent meetings

• ☒Sharing information at staff meetings

• ☒Integrating Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusion into classroom instruction

• ☒Posting our Bullying Prevention Plan and Safe, Equitable and Inclusive Schools strategy on our school website

• ☒Informing parents and school volunteers of our procedures for reporting incidents of bullying and inequity

• ☒Assisting parents to build awareness and knowledge so they may support our school Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive strategies

Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive Strategies, Education Programs/Activities

Note:  Our Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive goal(s) are determined after analysis of the results of our school climate (WHY) survey.

Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive Strategies, Education Programs/Activities

Note:  Our Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive goal(s) are determined after analysis of the results of our school climate (WHY) survey.

School Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive Goals(s):

1. We will participate in the OPHEA Healthy Schools Certification with a focus on mental health and wellbeing.     

2. We will educate both students and our school community on the difference between bullying and social conflict.      

3. We will ensure up to date, inclusive and diverse classroom and library resources are used in our school.

4. We will encourage students and parents to use the “Report Identity-Based Harm and/or Bullying” tool which can be found on our school website, the Board website and UG2GO.

5. We will acknowledge and participate in Orange Shirt Day, Pink Shirt Day, Anti-Bullying Week, International Day of Pink, Pride Month, Mental Health and Wellbeing Week as well as other days and months of significance.  

6. We will integrate learning about human rights as per the Ontario Human Rights Code into our classroom learning.  We will embed the Social Justice Standards (i.e., identity, diversity, justice and action) into curricular learning.  

7. We will provide students with opportunities to share their voice (i.e., thoughts, ideas, opinions, concerns) and to participate in a variety of clubs, teams and activities.

8. People can access the Buddy Bench at recess when they feel alone, don’t have anyone to play with or feel excluded.  We will raise awareness and teach students how to use the Buddy Bench through posters, skits, sharing in classrooms and answering questions.

Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive, Education Programs and Activities:

Our school currently implements or will implement the following bullying prevention and equity & inclusive education programs and activities that focus on developing healthy relationships and provide leadership opportunities for our students:

1. We will incorporate a variety of equity, inclusion, diversity, wellness, social justice, anti-bullying, inclusive learning and play, and mental health themes in our morning announcements, assemblies and classroom curriculum (i.e., read-alouds, literacy lessons, mindfulness moments, discussions, etc.).

   • We will address stereotypes, identify and work to dismantle all forms of racism and oppression with students in a clear and age-appropriate manner.

   • We will integrate mental health, body, brain and mindfulness breaks and teachable moments, including the UGDSB Wellness Works First 9 Days of School and School Mental Health Ontario’s Everyday Mental Health resources.  Mme Longtin, our school’s Child and Youth Counsellor will support students and staff with whole class lessons (e.g., friendships, emotions, strategies for problem-solving, etc.), small group learning opportunities and one-to-one support.

   • We will invite classes to make/prepare videos, posters, books or slideshows to share with other classes and/or the school on the topics of equity, inclusion, diversity, wellness, social justice, anti-bullying, inclusive learning and play, and mental health.  Junior students would like to continue to be involved in leading assemblies.

   • Staff and students will participate in Wellness Works. There will also be monthly posts to the school website to support families in building these skills alongside their child/ren.  Wellness Works links mental wellness learning with equity, inclusion, diversity learning in the Upper Grand District School Board.

   • Volunteer classes will create a bulletin board display or posters or morning announcements, etc. each month on various topics related to Wellness Works including identity and belonging, building relationships, problem solving, authenticity, coping with stress, self-compassion, self-advocacy, gratitude, empathy and reflection.  We will use I-Messages when problem-solving small conflicts.  

   • We will use I-Messages when problem-solving small conflicts.  If students require coaching on how to problem-solve, staff will provide suggestions or resolution ideas for students to try. 

   • Staff will participate in ongoing anti-oppression, anti-racism and anti-bias training.

   • We will continue to build relationships with community partners.

   • We will ensure that students are aware of how to report a problem in a variety of ways (e.g., ask for help from staff on duty, tell a teacher or Mme Labelle, etc.) so that they may access immediate support.

   • Some classes will partner with other classes as learning buddies.  Through learning buddies, younger students can feel more connected to older students, feel safer and seek help if, or when, needed. 

   • Student representatives may be invited to partner with the School Council for various events and activities or to share their learning and/or make requests at School Council meetings.

   • We will notify families prior to police presentations.

   • We will incorporate the Board’s Spirit Day Guidelines to ensure that all students feel safe, respected and included on these days.  At the request of our Junior students, there will be 1-2 spirit days per month.

   • Junior students would like to organize monthly or bi-monthly division activities to build connections (e.g., gardening, large group games, etc.).  Junior students will also organize and lead the Primary Play Day in June.

   • We will continue to provide Junior students with leadership opportunities such as Kindergarten lunch-room helpers, bus and safety patrols, Eco-Team, etc.

Bullying Prevention and Equity & Inclusive Responsibilities

• Closely supervise students in all areas of the school and school grounds

• Watch for signs of bullying and stopping it when it happens

• Respond quickly and sensitively to bullying reports (Affirm, Ask, Assess, Act)

• Take seriously parents’ concerns about bullying incidents

• Assign consequences for bullying

• Teach students our procedures for reporting incidents of bullying

• Provide a safe environment for students who report bullying (protection from retaliation)

• Treat others respectfully

• Model positive ways of getting along with others

• Treat each other respectfully

• Refuse to bully others

• Refuse to let others be bullied

• Refuse to watch, laugh or join in when someone is being bullied

• Include everyone in play, especially those who are often left out

• Report bullying to an adult

• Model positive ways of getting along with others

• Help their child find ways to express anger that do not involve hurting others physically or emotionally

• Teach problem solving skills

• Inform school staff if their child tells them about a bullying incident

• Support the schools bullying-prevention efforts

• Help their child understand the value of accepting and celebrating individual differences

• Be alert to signs their child is being bullied or may be bullying others

Our staff will use the following process when bullying is reported:

Acknowledge the Incident / Affirm

• “You were right to report/get help from an adult.”

• “I’m glad you asked for help with this.”

Gather Information / Ask Questions

• “Tell me more about what happened.”

• “Has this happened before?”

• “Did anyone try to help you?”

• “Are you telling me this is to get someone in trouble or to keep someone safe?”

Assess Safety / Make a Plan

• Determine what the student needs to feel safe now

• What can the student do if the bullying continues

• What steps need to be taken to limit the possibility of retaliation for the person reporting the bullying

• Who the student will tell if there is another incident

Act / Follow-up

• Determine “next step” or refer the student to an administrator

• Tell them what will happen next

• Check with the student to determine the success of the intervention

Students, parents, school staff and volunteers may use the following methods to report incidents of bullying as appropriate:

Student to Student:

• Safe Schools Incident Reporting (on-line)

• On-line Identity-Based Harm/Bullying Reporting Tool

• Tell an adult in the building (phone, in person, email etc.)

• Parent / Teacher interviews

• Make an appointment to meet with school staff

When responding to a bullying incident, our school staff uses a progressive discipline approach.  Use of Progressive Discipline supports a safe, inclusive and equitable learning and teaching environment in which every student can reach his or her full potential. Strategies may range from early intervention to more intensive intervention in cases of persistent bullying, with possible referral to board support personnel, community or social service agencies.  

These may include but are not limited to:

Well-Being strategies and programs;

• well-being strategies and programs;

  • providing students with the opportunity to learn life skills such as conflict resolution, anger management and communication skills;

  • collaborative problem solving;

  • utilizing models based on the concepts of peer mediation;

  • documenting incidents requiring disciplinary measures;

  • use of progressive discipline and consideration of mitigating factors;

  • ensuring that contact is made with the parent(s)/guardian(s) of students, under the age of 18, early in the disciplinary process and involving them in a plan to improve the behaviour;

  • CYC support

  • referral to outside agencies (e.g., CMHA, DCAFS)

  • restorative justice practices (e.g., written or verbal apology, community service)