- by Michael Craig – Owen Sound trustee for the Bluewater District School Board, representing his opinions, not official Board policy
A stabbing at Grey Highlands Secondary School in Flesherton is certainly a cause for concern. On March 9, a student was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening wounds. A day later two boys, 15 and 16, were charged with assault with a weapon and attempting to obstruct justice.
Concerning, yes, but should we panic?
Toronto, which is admittedly 150 times larger than Owen Sound, is truly facing a crisis of school violence: multiple incidents of gun and knife attacks in Toronto high schools in recent months have resulted in a teacher walkout at one school, and a report that concluded, “For the 2022-23 school year, if the current trend continues, the board will be reporting the highest number of violent incidents since the data has been collected in 2000.”
A survey of Toronto principals and vice-principals indicated deep concern about their ability to manage student well-being. Over one third of these administrators said that fighting, verbal abuse and, in some cases the possession of weapons, is on the rise. I wonder how Bluewater administrators would respond to a similar survey of Grey-Bruce schools. Are our communities kinder and gentler?
No one would say, based on one stabbing, that violence in Bluewater elementary and secondary schools is at a crisis level. The Grey Highlands incident is a warning sign that we must not be complacent, but the fact is that we have a protocol to deal with every eventuality.
As our Director of Education has written, “When there is a violent incident at a school, our school board crisis response team is involved to support all staff and students including both perpetrators and victims.”
This is, of course, what occurred at Grey Highlands SS.
Bluewater policies focus on “safe and accepting schools”, specifying an active approach to stamping out physical and emotional violence. They require all staff, school bus drivers, as well as before-and-after school program operators, to report incidents of inappropriate behaviour, including bullying, to school principals.
Extensive policies – check them out at bwdsb.on.ca – provide direction around reporting and reacting to violent incidents, progressive discipline, suspension and expulsions, workplace violence, and bullying.
What strikes me is that, throughout these documents, the need to be factual and fair is emphasized. And the needs of the perpetrator should be addressed along with protection and support for victims. Students who are guilty of violence can be suspended from school, at the principal’s discretion, for five to twenty days; but helping all students to continue productively with their education is a priority.
Beating Bullying
Bullying, including cyber bullying, may be the most under-reported behaviour that takes place frequently in our schools. ‘Twas always thus, as they say: years ago I was bullied, terrified in fact, through much of my Grade 7 year when I moved into a new school, not in Grey-Bruce. Nobody knew, so I guess I can’t complain that no action was taken. But bullying, believe me, can be devastating.
You know what bullies do: they hit, push or intimidate, taunt or exclude, spread rumours, put people down because of their race, religion or sexual/gender orientation, and generally pick on the most vulnerable.
The good news is that Bluewater teachers, principals and administrators will not tolerate bullying, and are actively committed to ending racism and homophobia. They are acutely aware that bullying can severely affect a student’s learning, attendance, self-worth and mental health, and can impact the school as a whole.
I like the fact that every member of our school community has a responsibility to treat everyone with respect, according to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Human Rights is built in! And naturally every educator must report bullying and support the victim.
The Board has a bullying prevention and intervention plan that is regularly assessed. Bullying education for students, teachers and other school staff happens, ideally, year after year.
Each school is required to create a Safe and Accepting Schools Team that includes the principal and one teacher, student, parent and a community partner. Does your school have one, and does it meet regularly?
Fostering a safe, inclusive school climate – that’s the team’s job, including identifying resources for victims, bullies and families. Once again, the bully, the perpetrator, is understood to be needing help, along with the victim.
This is an excellent policy – on paper. Parents and guardians, may I politely suggest that you read the bullying policy and ask in your school if it is being effectively implemented. Let’s keep the system on its toes!
