Rationale:

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) recognizes that the most effective and

sustainable means to addressing all forms of bullying is through a comprehensive, evidence-

based approach that engages all individuals. All classroom, school, and system teaching and learning environments are committed to establishing and promoting safe, welcoming, inclusive, and accepting learning spaces where all feel a positive sense of self and of belonging.

The Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan is based upon the Ontario Ministry of Education’s updated Policy and Program Memorandum 144: Bullying Prevention and Intervention, and the requirements set out in this plan have been taken directly from PPM 144.

Bullying means aggressive and typically repeated behaviour by a pupil where,

1. the behaviour* is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behaviour 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 behaviour* occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance between the pupil 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 the receipt of special education; (“intimidation”).

*behaviour includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means

Cyberbullying includes bullying by electronic* means, including:

1. creating a web page or a blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person;
2. impersonating another person as the author of content or messages posted on the internet; and,
3. communicating material electronically to more than one individual, or posting material on a website that may be accessed by one or more individuals.

*electronic means includes, but is not limited to social media platforms, email, text or direct messaging, digital gaming platforms and/or other electronic communication platforms.

Bullying and Intervention Plan

Our school will have at least one bullying prevention and intervention goal that will be reviewed annually and monitored throughout the year. The goal will be determined after reviewing school based qualitative and quantitative data. Examples of qualitative data include but are not limited to survey comments, focus group feedback, one-to-one and small group conversations and observations. Quantitative data may include school climate survey results, OCDSB Safe Schools Anonymous Reporting Tool results, attendance data and Board suspension data.

Safe and Accepting Schools Team

Our school will have a diverse Safe and Accepting Schools Team, as part of our Bullying

Prevention and Intervention Plan. The Team’s responsibilities include fostering an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, anti-colonial, safe, inclusive, and accepting school culture, in part by reviewing and, where necessary, revising, and ensuring the implementation of the school’s Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan and the school’s Code of Conduct. The team includes members of the school’s staff, as well as students, parents/guardians and members of the community.

OCDSB web links:

Bullying Prevention & Intervention (OCDSB website)

Bullying Prevention & Intervention Plan

Community Resources:

kidshelpphone.ca

Canadian Centre for Child Protection

PREVNet

MediaSmarts: Resources for Parents and Caregivers

Ministry Resources:

Bullying – we can all help stop it

Creating safe and accepting schools