Anti-bullying is a process but we’re leading the way

Is Cochrane doing a good job with its striving to be bully-free campaign? It’s a question that came to the fore recently when a Times’ columnist said very little has changed from a student perspective. Hopefully that’s about to get better if the ground work from the last couple of years begins to finally pay off. Through Cochrane Family and Community Support Services we have an anti-bullying committee as well as youth action committee. Numerous presentations, including one with Dale Lang, have been made to community as well as to specific groups including the school district. Workshops have been held helping with seniors related bullying concerns. And there has been all kinds of provincial and national recognition. But bullying is not something that changes easily or quickly. As the community resource workers at FCSS say, it is akin to seatbelt and smoking legislation. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution and in fact one of the biggest challenges is convincing people there is even a problem. And while the issue goes well beyond our schools and into all facets of the community, schools are becoming more and more a part of the focus.

In conversation with school division superintendent Lyle Thompson, it is clear our schools take the matter seriously. More than 400 Rocky View teachers have received training related to bullying issues while a provincial priority is the safe and caring concept that came into place after shootings in Taber. Should even a minor bullying incident occur, each school has trained staff to deal with it while the division’s policy handbook is clear about punishment. But the division does not yet have a policy relating to prevention or education. Most schools bring in guest speakers when available while the career and life management course offered to high school students is able to accommodate the subject within the curriculum and teachers are encouraged to do so. Which is where both sides of this issue tie together — more education. “Whether it is policy or procedure it’s what happening in the classroom with the teacher that is key,” said Thompson. The youth action committee, for one, is looking to have sessions in each school for student assemblies as well as other initiatives aimed at young people. And the upcoming RCMP workshop entitled “Safer Communities” is also being hailed as a positive step that should provide some further community direction. “Bullying has been an acceptable activity in society for a long time,” said Claire Young who heads up the FCSS committee. “It will take a long time to change...there is still a per-centage of drivers who won’t wear their seatbelt.”

Larry Giles
9 February 2005

http://www.cochranetimes.com/story.php?id=142467

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