The Hamilton Wentworth District school board is offering up a new resource this year as part of bullying awareness week.
A handbook has been made available online that addresses a number of parent, student and teacher questions about bullying in its many forms.
Sharon Stephanian, superintendent of Equity and Well-Being says the document outlines a number of topics including what bullying looks like, what to do if you’re being bullied or if you are a bystander.
“Children can’t learn if they’re not in a safe space,” she said.
Which is why the school board is also continuing to promote its anonymous student reporting tool called Tip Off.
Students are able to text, web chat or pick up the phone if they are the target of bullying or if they have witnessed it at school.
The idea, Stephanian says, is to make students comfortable enough to come forward, free from the fear of reprisal.
“Quite often what we’ll hear from students is that they’re worried if they make a report about bullying they might be considered to be a tattle-tale or snitch.”
Stephanian says bullying awareness week has proven successful in addressing some of those fears and offering support.
To the extent that students are now taking ownership of the issue and carrying out initiatives throughout the week that promote a safe learning environment.
Some schools throughout the HWDSB will be holding a pink shirt day to stand up to bullying, while others partake in an act of kindness day.
There will also be action teams creating awareness about bullying specific to sexual orientation and positive culture teams focusing on mental health.