Bullying and Harassment

We deem bullying and harassment to be serious offenses. Physical and verbal bullying or intimidation has no place at our school. Harassment that goes against the Ontario Human Rights Code will not be tolerated. Immediate consequences will apply and may include suspension from school for students in grades 4-6. Students in younger grades are not allowed to be suspended from school as per the Ministry of Education’s guidelines. 

Bullying has been defined by the Ministry of Education as:  

“…a form of repeated, persistent, aggressive behaviour that is directed at an individual(s) that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear, distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.”   

 

The following chart helps provide an assessment tool to help define the issues that might arise within a school setting. 

Rough Play	Conflict	Bullying
Usually friends or friendly towards each other. Often repeated. Same players.	Acquaintances or friends. Occasional. Usually issue-centred, until resolved; could centre around misunderstanding, misinformation or no common ground.	Typically not friends, however may have had a relationship previously. Intentional target. Repeated and persistent.
Balance of power. Equal, consensual reaction.	Power is relatively equal.  Equal or near equal emotional reaction.	Unequal power. Bully’s reaction meets own intrinsic need for power and control (consciously). Strong emotional, mental and physical reaction for the target.
Not seeking power or  attention.	Not seeking power or attention.	Attempt to gain power and control, possessions or popularity.
No intention to harm.	Intention to sort out who is right.	Intentionally harm-doing.
Intention is fun. If something goes wrong, then remorse.	Remorse – takes responsibility.	Bully may or may not show remorse. May or may not know what they are doing is wrong. May blame the target or believe the target deserves it.

 

If a child is bullied or bullies another, it is important that school staff and parents work together to help stop the behaviour and develop strategies to prevent the behaviour from happening again. We will not tolerate bullying at Blair Rd or any other behaviour which is in violation of our code of conduct. Online bullying is an increasing phenomenon in the community and inappropriate online behaviour may lead to police involvement.  

It is also important to celebrate great student behaviour that we see at school. We celebrate great student behavior on a daily basis.