​Deliberate, Intentional Strategies and Actions to support Bullying Awareness and Prevention at TMC

 

In recognition of Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week from November 20 to 24, 2024, I wanted to share our key actions out again, as it never hurts. Positive behavior and bullying prevention are work I take extremely seriously at our school. I greatly believe that students are our future and that it is through education that they will grow up to change the nature of our society at work to get rid of things like racism, sexism, and discrimination of any kind.

 

Bullying Awareness Week is a dedicated time to address bullying in all its forms within our schools. This year, the Government of Alberta has chosen the theme "Where to Turn," which lets everyone know there is always help available. Our aim for this Bullying Awareness Week is to raise awareness that students and staff can always turn to someone for support in their schools and workplaces if they are or have experienced bullying.

 

Our ongoing efforts focus on bullying prevention. Knowing how to intervene safely and build strong connections creates safer, more welcoming schools, workplaces, and communities.

To delve deeper into bullying awareness, prevention, and support, you can explore the resources available on our website and through the Government of Alberta:

 

If you think your child is experiencing bullying at school, please bring up your concerns with your child's teacher.

 

If you need additional guidance or support to address bullying, contact the Bullying Helpline at 1-888-456-2323, available 24/7. You can also access online chat support from noon to 8:00 pm at alberta.ca/bullying-find-supports.aspx.

 

That all being said, I love working with students because 99% of the time they want to learn from their mistakes and grow from them. In a school of 800 students, we actually have very few incidences of extreme negative behavior, but they do happen. When they do take place, I am an excellent detective, speak with witnesses, document what happened, and document the consequences such as in-school suspensions, out-of-school suspensions, meetings with our School Resource Office from the Calgary Police Service, and even rarely phone calls to the CPS as well.

 

For some great news, we have only had to implement 6 suspensions so far this year, as compared to we 30 suspensions at the same time last year for incidences where students are not making TMC a safe, caring, welcoming and respectful environment for all students and staff.

 

We then work to support student growth on the part of the offender as well as the recipient of the bullying behaviour, whether that means consequences or coaching or other supports for those students. We support our students in dealing with negative behaviours, but we also want to teach them on how to deal with them, as their teachers or parents or adults are not always around or with them.

 

Bullying is defined as the repeated, persistent, hostile or demeaning behaviour by an individual or group in the school community where the behaviour is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals. This may include harm based on factors such as size, strength, social power, economic status, religious beliefs, ethnic/cultural origin, race, family circumstances, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, or different ability.

 

Students will:

•       Act in accordance with the CBE Student Code of Conduct (AR 6005) https://www.cbe.ab.ca/GovernancePolicies/AR6005-Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf

•       Students are expected to behave in a manner that complies with the Student Code of Conduct and contributes to a welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment (section 5.7).

•       Not participate in or tolerate bullying while on school property, participating in school events, traveling to and from school, or in any other circumstances that may impact the school environment (section 5.13).

 

If students are dealing with negative behaviours, and they share this with you as a parent or supportive adult, please contact your child's homeroom teacher.

·       At least 1 in 3 adolescent students in Canada have reported being bullied recently (Link)

·       40% of Canadian workers experience bullying on a weekly basis (Link)

·       Among adult Canadians, 38% of males and 30% of females reported having experienced occasional or frequent bullying during their school years (Link)

 

More importantly,

·       Students have a unique power to prevent bullying. More than half of bullying situations (57 percent) stop when a peer intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied (Link)

·       Unfortunately, peer bystanders intervene in bullying less than 20% of the time (Link)

·       Student bystanders are often aware of situations before adults in the school. It is therefore important that all students feel empowered to intervene safely in bullying situations. A school can facilitate this behavior by cultivating a climate of respect and tolerance within the school. (Link)

·       Students, parents, educators, and communities all have a responsibility to address bullying in schools, on line and in communities. (Link)

·       Over half of bullied children do not report being bullied to a teacher. (Link)

 

ALL staff in the CBE have had Bullying Awareness and Prevention Training and must ensure that all reports of violent, threatening, discriminating, intimidating and bullying behaviours and/or incidents are assessed, and where warranted investigated and responded to.

(The National Bullying Prevention Center is an excellent page with factual information regarding bullying, and although it is from the US, it shares some excellent information.)

 

So, as adults, parents and educators, we need to support kids more than ever, being clear that this is not a normal part of childhood! In the long run, the main just of all of this work can be summed up into words… Be Kind!

 

Yours in safety and learning,

Mr. R

CBE Student Code of Conduct

The CBE Student Code of Conduct outlines the expectations that we expect students to meet regarding acceptable behavior, both at school and online between TMC students. The document is linked below if you would like to take a closer look at it.

https://www.cbe.ab.ca/GovernancePolicies/AR6005-Student-Code-of-Conduct.pdf

 

Bullying Prevention at the CBE

https://cbe.ab.ca/about-us/school-culture-and-environment/Pages/Healthy-Relationships.aspx

 

 

80 Deliberate and Intentional Strategies and Actions for Bullying Prevention and Building Positive Behaviour at Twelve Mile Coulee School

I want to help all parents to know and understand that at TMC we have implemented a ton of supports for students to build a culture of tolerance, safety, welcoming, acceptance and positive behaviour. One of the reasons I love working with students is that they love to learn, and all want to learn how to behave reasonably and to regulate themselves. Unfortunately, just like adults, kids make mistakes, and we work with students to deal with them and learn from them. We have many proactive strategies to create a culture at TMC that sets kids up for success. Often, our reactive strategies are not visible as I am not able to make consequences public for all to see, and due to FOIP this information cannot be shared out.

 

Bullying, as defined by the Alberta Education Act, which came into effect September 1, 2019 is: 

“d) 'bullying' means repeated and hostile or demeaning behaviour by an individual in the school community where the behaviour is intended to cause harm, fear or distress to one or more other individuals in the school community, including psychological harm or harm to an individual's reputation;"

 

Below is a list of the intentional and purposeful strategies used and implemented at our school to support positive behaviour.

 

  1. Our TMC MOTTO provides all staff and students with common language to utilize and focus on in both daily and long-term social and emotional learning with students
    1. Work Hard!
    2. Learn Tonnes!
    3. Be Kind!
  2. Utilization of the TITAN MOTTO to develop common expectations and understanding around positive behaviour within the school community
  3. TITAN LEADERSHIP SUMMITS are meetings with each grade level with the Principal and Assistant Principal that are used to teach students about appropriate behaviour at school and in life through the Titan Motto
  4. Teachers and staff utilize the TMC Motto as a PHILOSOPHY in the classroom to help students to practice, learn and use positive behaviours

5.     BULLYING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION TRAINING – All CBE staff have completed a Bullying Awareness and Prevention course. 

6.     BULLYING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION WEEK – Remembrance Day leads us into Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week from November 20 to November 24, 2023. Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week is a time provides schools and students the opportunity to learn more about the role that bullying can play in our schools, workplaces, and personal lives, as well as to learn how to stand up for others who may be the target of bullying behaviors. TMC students will be engaging in self- and group-awareness activities on our journey to creating a safer and more welcoming school community. 

7.     WORLD KINDNESS DAY is held every year on November 13 and TMC uses it to help students learn the importance of being kind to each other, to yourself, and to the world.

  1. Our TMC SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (SDP) GOAL for Well-Being for Learning is supporting students in utilizing specific strategies to support themselves in emotional emotional self-regulation techniques, knowing that when students are more regulated they feel more connected to their peers and adults in their community
  2. Working with students to teach them specific STRATEGIES for when they are not with adults and setting them up with independence, problem-solving and self-advocacy,
  3. Teach students specific tactics to have in their toolbox such as IMATT:
    1. Ignore
    2. Move away
    3. Ask them to stop
    4. Tell them to stop
    5. Tell (get help from) an adult

11.  Utilization of RESTORATIVE practices in working with bullying cases, and is attentive to the promotion and protection of positive relationships within our learning community

12.  Utilization of PROGRESSIVE STUDENT DISCIPLINE strategies that utilize a continuum of intervention, supports, and consequences to address inappropriate and unacceptable student behaviour and builds upon strategies that promote positive behaviours

13.  Our TMC STUDENT LEADERSHIP programs encourage and guide students in learning leadership skills as well enabling positive roles in their school

  1. Teachers and students learn using diverse LITERATURE CONNECTIONS and books to learn about dealing with bullying behaviours and social issues

15.  REMEMBRANCE DAY is observed on November 11 every year to honour the people who have served or died in protecting our freedom and to learn about living peacefully together

  1. GRADE TEAMS are working specifically with students around ways to prevent and deal with bullying, looking at other's perspectives, and teaching students specific strategies on how to deal with bullying
  2. This learning is part of the “Health and Living Skills" portion of the ALBERTA PROGRAM OF STUDIES around the concepts of citizenship and getting along together, and is taught as part of the Alberta Curriculum
  3. The CBE RESULTS: Citizenship in Learning, Character in Learning, and Personal Development in Learning are specifically reported on to parents through the year and are part of classroom instruction in every CBE classroom
  4. Whole school learning activities, such as having a specific grade level supporting each class in learning about positive and supportive behaviour through PINK SHIRT DAY
  5. Using PINK SHIRT DAY as an opportunity to learn about what positive behaviour should look like and teaching students how to deal with bullying
  6. Acknowledging ORANGE SHIRT DAY as a way to learn about historical treatment of Indigenous peoples and the impact today
  7. Observing Canada's NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION to honour the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families and communities.

23.  Very different to Orange Shirt Day is NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY (in Canada), which is a celebration of the heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding achievements of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples, and is held on June 21, 2022

24.  TMC will utilize the HOLISTIC LIFELONG LEARNING FRAMEWORK as a learning structure to support students in thinking about and reflecting on their learning and behaviours, and includes four areas:

1.     Spirit – To Be

2.     Heart – To Belong

3.     Body – To Do

4.     Mind – To Know

  1. All of our classes hold regular CLASS CIRCLE MEETINGS to discuss issues in the class or on the playground, thus the classroom and the teacher can support all students in figuring out solutions or strategies
  2. Many of our students have BUDDY CLASSROOMS (this was paused during Covid) that they team up with where older students act as leaders and role models for young students, who get to learn from working with positive older students, but we are looking at connecting students up within the school using technology
  3. Teachers are on SUPERVISION in the morning, at Nutrition Break and at lunch and wear bright orange safety vests so they are easily visible and accessible for students
  4. The number of SUPERVISORS for Lunch Supervision exceeds the minimum we need on duty so that they are visible and available and proactive re student-to-student issues
  5. Our LUNCH SUPERVISION TEAM support and work with specific students around learning positive behaviours, including working with students before and after lunch in order to develop positive relationships
  6. Many staff or our Education Assistants are utilizing a BEHAVIOURAL FRAMEWORK like “The Zones of Regulation" in supporting learning and metacognition with students working with behavioural struggles
  7. Mr. Rakowski has attended and presented at conferences on developing Social and Emotional Learning in Calgary, AB; Cleveland, USA; Toronto, ON, Harvard University in Cambridge, MA; Phoenix, AZ; Kananaskis, AB; Jasper, AB; and Seattle , WA.
  8. Mr. Rakowski tries to welcome all our TMC students as they come in each and every day will a “Good Morning," “Welcome," or “Nice hat!" (Blue Jays, Stampeders, Flames and Raptors hats, of course! )
  9. Students' classrooms are open and teachers are available from 8:15 am until classes start at 8:30 am every morning to connect with students and allow students to share any issues that may have arisen as needed
  10. Physical movement programs, such as “OPEN GYM" at lunch and “FRIDAY MORNING SPORTS" offer more options for physical activity for students, as research show that this helps student to work and learn in positive ways. A special thanks to our PE Team for all their time that goes into this!
  11. OPEN LEARNING COMMONS at Lunch allows students to access an alternative place for non-structured time at lunch (this was paused during Covid)
  12. FOOD SECURITY SUPPORTS – We have food and snacks for students that may have minimal food security, to make sure all students have enough food, as if kids are hungry, they often do not have the same abilities for tolerance and positive behaviour
  13. Teachers, Admin and staff work with PARENTS to help them understand WHAT TO DO when there are issues:
    1. Help the student talk to an adult and share what is happening
    2. Talk to your child's teacher and share what is happening
    3. Talk to the Admin Team if needed if it is continuing
  14. TMC STAFF are always available to work in dealing with behavioural issues and helping students to stand up to bullying behaviours
  15. One on One or SMALL GROUP SUPPORTS are available for students who need support with their own or dealing with the behaviour of others
  16. Mrs. Gillis, our STUDENT SERVICES lead teacher (Resource Teacher), often works in individual and small group advisory, guidance and advocacy sessions
  17. Our BLUE CHAIR AREA outside of Mr. Rakowski and Ms. Bond's offices serve as a comfortable and quiet area for students to deescalate, work on school work or tests they may have missed, or as a quiet place to eat lunch if needed
  18. Our TMC School Council supported us in purchasing a STATIONARY EXERCISE BIKE for the office Blue Chair Area for students to utilize to support them in regulating their emotions and energy
  19. Our ZEN DEN is a comfortable place for students to work or meet, often with an Education Assistant or a teacher, to learn or regulate for learning
  20. Mrs. Gillis intentionally moved her STUDENT SERVICES OFFICE directly across from the Learning Commons in the main foyer, so that it is not associated with the office (and discipline), and to try to connect her role as a safe support of emotional regulation and as a learning support
  21. TMC teachers engage in WHOLE CLASS TEACHING of social skills and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) skills
  22. Our EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANTS support and work with specific students around learning social-emotional learning skills and resilience skills
  23. As needed, we bring in CBE BEHAVIOUR SPECIALISTS to support our work in severe cases
  24. As needed, we bring in CBE FAMILY SCHOOL LIASON WORKERS to support our families in severe cases
  25. As needed, we work closely with AGENCIES such as Child and Family Services, BowWest, and other to support students in their basic needs and learning
  26. We work closely with our SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER (SRO) from the Calgary Police Service in both proactive and reactive manners, such as speaking to our Grade 7s and 8s last year about avoiding the sexualized language we were hearing from them last year (I so dislike TikTok…!)
  27. We connect students and families with COMMUNITY SUPPORTS such as Access Mental Health (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/services/page11443.aspx) and the Kids Help Phone where Kids can call 1-800-668-6868 or get help online at https://kidshelpphone.ca/

52.  Our TMC PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE for KINDNESS (Wolf PACK) will be working on ways to continue making TMC a kind and positive place to learn and grow (was called the TMC Student Advisory Committee)

  1. Our TMC PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE for KINDNESS (Wolf PACK) members will be working on creating a VIDEO made specifically for TMC students on how to deal with bullying behaviours, and it will be shared and posted online
  2. We work with PARENTS AND THE COMMUNITY on strategies to support students with positive behaviour at home and at school
  3. REPORTING OF ISSUES – Student to student behavioural situations are dealt with when students or parents report to us that there is an issue. We do need to know the details and who is involved, and then the incident is investigated and responded to as warranted
  4. We specifically teach students how to NOT PARTICIPATE IN OR TOLERATE BULLYING while on school property, participating in school events, traveling to and from school, or in any other circumstances that may impact the school environment, such as in our Leadership Summit Meetings
  5. REPORTING OF ADULT ISSUES – We deal with Adult to Student and Student to Adult behavioural issues as well. Please contact your child's teacher or myself if needed. Unfortunately, anonymous emails do not help and cannot be followed up on.
  6. We teach kids that screen shots and video of online behavioural situations are a great strategy to help us deal with issues. DO NOT DELETE online bullying texts or snaps, etc. Get someone else to take a photo of the posts if needed.
  7. We teach kids to BLOCK the other people and to NOT ENGAGE with them if they are being inappropriate online. Either ignore it or let someone know. The Police can follow up on extreme situations as warranted.
  8. Students learn that they are expected to NOT PARTICIPATE IN OR TOLERATE bullying while on school property, participating in school events, traveling to and from school, or in any other circumstances that may impact the school environment, including online
  9. STUDENT SUPPORT PLANS (SSP) are developed to support parents, the student and all staff in knowing how best to support that child with developing and demonstrating positive behaviours
  10. INDIVIDUAL PROGRAM PLANS (IPP) are developed to support student and staff in learning strategies to support a child with a diagnosis impacting their behaviour and self-regulation at school
  11. The CBE RISK AND RESILIENCY TEAM is helping us in our work around supporting the mental well-being of our students. They will be attending to the following:
    1. Connections to welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments
    2. Overview of mental health vs. mental illness
    3. Reducing stigma
    4. Overview of brain development and impact of toxic stress
    5. Risk and protective factors
    6. Building resiliency
    7. Tool for leaders – key conditions for supporting mental health in schools planning and implementation tool
  12. USE OF TECHNOLOGY – Students are taught expectations for appropriate and ethical use if technology, such as cell phones, through our TMC Admirable Use Policy (AUP)
  13. CELL PHONE POLICY – As of January 2020, TMC implemented a Cell Phone and Technology Policy after an Engagement with Students, Parents, and Staff regarding appropriate and ethical use of cell phones at TMC
  14. DIGITAL CITTIZENSHIP is taught and discussed with all students on how to bee ethical, efficient and respectful in using technology

67.  The TMC GSA (Gay Straight Alliance) supports any and all students in having a safe place to be and supports growth in acceptance and understanding

68.  Learning to support others through PHILANTROPY such as our Food Drives, Jacket Racket, our Christmas Sock Drive, and our Terry Fox Run (as a few examples)

69.  COMMUNITY BUSINESSES – Working with Tuscany businesses such as Sobey's for support and expectations of students when off campus

70.  PARENT EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES – Engaging with our parent community with educational opportunities and evenings such as our Vaping Information Evening, the Phil McRae presentation on Technology and Social Media, and our screening of the movie Screenagers last year for families, and we would like to cordially invite you to ourupcoming Parent's Night "An evening with Dr. Allan Donsky," where he will be discussing how parents can maintain a connection with their kids and help them build resilience in the world. This event has been organized by the parent councils from Twelve Mile Coulee School, Tuscany School, Eric Harvie School and Bowness High School and will take place on Thursday, November 30th at 7:00pm at Tuscany School.

71.  TMC will host TMC PRIDE DAY on June 1, 2022, along with Bowness High School, as a positive celebration of diversity at TMC School

72.  SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY – All of our teachers have engaged in training with the CBE Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) team

73.  CBE CARES – The CBE Collaboration for Anti-Racism and Equity Supports is a systemic strategy to advance equity, anti-racism and inclusion within the CBE, wIth the goal that every student should have the opportunity to succeed personally and academically regardless of background, identity or personal circumstances

74.  Staff and students are working to develop educational opportunities that are CULTURALLY RELEVANT and responsive to students' sense of belonging and engagement in their learning

75.  The INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION (observed annually on March 21) is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. “Youth standing up against racism" is the 2021 theme.

76.  Deliberate and Strategic UNIVERSALLY TARGETED actions across the school, at a grade level, or with a class on dealing with specific behaviours and working with and supporting students who are struggling or acting with unacceptable behaviours

77.  TMC Students will learn from HATS ON FOR MENTAL HEALTH DAY and MENTAL HEALTH WEEK, and will help us to all learn to name, express and deal with our emotions—even the uncomfortable ones, like fear and sadness

78.  WORLD DAY FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR DIALOGUE AND DEVELOPMENT (held annually on May 21) and provides students and staff with an avenue to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to advance the four goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions:

1.     Support sustainable systems of governance for culture

2.     Achieve a balanced flow of cultural goods and services and increase mobility of artists and cultural professionals

3.     Integrate culture in sustainable development frameworks

4.     Promote human rights and fundamental freedoms

79.  DEVELOPING STUDENT AGENCY – Students are included in this work and are learning to be part of the solution, and are being supported to learn to positively use and amplify their voices and actions

80.  TMC CARES is a TMC developed online reporting tool - If students need support they can reach out via www.tinyurl.com/tmccares and Mrs. Gillis (Student Services) will connect. If there is a particular staff member a student wishes to connect with, there is room in the form to indicate this. Remember that the system requires students to be logged into their EDU (google) account to access the form, so it is not anonymous, but it is private and confidential

 

 

Progressive Discipline

When responding to unacceptable student behaviour, the principal and/or teacher must consider the age, maturity, and individual circumstances, including the student's social, emotional, developmental and cognitive levels, the nature and severity of the action or incident, the effect of the student's behaviour upon other students, the staff, the school environment, and the community, the student's previous conduct and previous interventions, etc.

Disciplinary actions must be both restorative and progressive, both corrective and supportive, and include opportunities for students to learn and make amends, focus on improving behavior, and help students to be successful at school.

https://cbe.ab.ca/about-us/school-culture-and-environment/Documents/Progressive-Student-Discipline-Philosophy.pdf

 

Mr. Rakowski, Ms. Bond, Mrs. Gillis and all of our staff work hard with students and parent to also understand that bullying is not bumping into someone once on the playground. It is a repeated and targeted behaviour toward certain student(s).


If parents have concerns, the most effective and proper course of action is to talk to the student's homeroom teacher directly and immediately. It is way easier for us to follow up on issues on the day of or the next day, rather than something that happened last week or last month.

Educationally yours,

Derek Rakowski