FACTSHEET
2009OTP0037-000229 Feb. 23, 2009	Office of the Premier Ministry of Education
PROVINCE PROCLAIMS ANTI-BULLYING DAY

The following are examples of how school districts are promoting anti-bullying behaviour:

 

·        SD 22 – Vernon – this year, the school district has focused its efforts on cyber-bullying and educating students on what cyber-bullying is and how to stand up to it.

 

·        SD 36 – Surrey – online resources made available for parents in English and Punjabi.

 

·        SD 39 – Vancouver – the Roots of Empathy program taught in schools such as Simon Fraser Elementary school.

 

·        SD 41 – Burnaby – a week of events, including raising awareness of racism and homophobia in schools.

 

·        SD 51 – Boundary – resources for parents and caregivers made available online.

 

·        SD 61 – Greater Victoria – WITS (Walk away, Ignore, Talk it out, Seek help) program taught in elementary schools.

 

·        SD 67 – Okanagan Skaha – recently completed the school-wide Focus on Bullying program at Giant’s Head Elementary school. The program empowers students to stand up to bullying behaviour and learn respectful behaviours.

 

·        SD 70 – Alberni – Alberni District Secondary school students organized their own anti-bullying day commemoration and have urged teachers to wear pink in support.

 

In addition to these initiatives, all 60 school districts have adopted a code of conduct which has a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to violence, gangs, and crime.

 

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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963
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