Bullying Prevention & Intervention Policy - Public Consultation

WITH MANY THANKS

Many voices have joined the conversation and provided feedback on the DRAFT Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy. We are compelled to do our part to help create school communities across HWDSB that are safe for everyone. As we enter the final stage of the policy approval process, we want to express our deep gratitude to each one of you who has taken the time to share your ideas, experiences, and questions. We have grown and we are humbled by what we have learned through this process, specifically from students. We are driven by their creativity, resilience and compassion. Their voices and involvement, along with those of families and community members, have helped us get to where we are now. Without all of you, we couldn't have made it this far. So, thank you.

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

In Phase 1 of the consultations, we reviewed the draft policy with students, families and community members on the Safe Schools Advisory Committees. After hearing what they had to share, we then focused on hearing from students who have experienced bullying, particularly those who self-identify as Indigenous, Black, Racialized, Two Spirit and LGBTQIA+ and students with disabilities. While this focused approach limited the number of students participants, the depth of their feedback allowed us to respond in ways that are more relevant to those most impacted. 

The students we spoke with shared their ideas, which we grouped into themes. We then used those themes to make recommendations for changes to the policy, created a Summary Infographic and shared this back to the students. A Summary Report was also created for the Safe Schools Policy and Procedure Working Group. Board staff then worked alongside this group of students, parents and community members to review the recommendations and draft revised language to update the policy. 

In Phase 2, we invited all members of the HWDSB community to review the draft policy and confirm that it was ready to move on to the approval stage. Board staff will review all feedback received in Phase 2 before the final draft is presented to the trustees for approval.

Everyone can review all of the supporting documents in the Consultation Documents 2022 folder.

The folder contains:

1. Safe Schools Student Consultation Summary Infographic.pdf
2. Bullying Prevention & Intervention Policy Working Group Consultation Summary.pdf

If you have any questions or think anything needs to be added, let us know in the HAVE A QUESTION section below. 

WHERE ARE WE GOING?

Once the policy is approved by trustees, we will continue to need your help. We know that policies are only effective based on the procedures and practices that put them into action. We have already heard about the kinds of changes you would like to see in schools and we want to know more. In early 2023, we will be reaching out to students, families and community partners to help us develop a set of procedures that will accompany the policy. 

Here are some more ways you can stay involved:

1. Join any one of the Safe Schools Advisory Groups by emailing safeschoolsadvisory_community@hwdsb.on.ca
2. Share your questions below.