Panther Peek at the Week-Parent ed.
Week of 11/21/2016
Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week- November 21-28
Bullying Prevention: Your Concerns are Our Concerns
Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our students. At the Limestone District School Board, that’s our priority. We’re committed to providing a healthy, supportive learning and working environment for our students and staff. We know that students achieve their best when they feel safe, nurtured, welcomed, engaged, respected and included.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is defined by the Ministry of Education as “aggressive and typically repeated behavior by a pupil where, (a) the behavior is intended by the pupil to have the effect of, or the pupil ought to know that the behavior would be likely to have the effect of, (i) 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 (ii) creating a negative environment at school for another individual...").
Bullying is very different from conflict which naturally occurs between individuals. Instead with bullying, "the behavior 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." For the purposes of the definition of ‘bullying’ this behavior includes the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means.
Types of Bullying & Examples
Physical: Repeated hitting, kicking, shoving, beating up, stealing, or damaging another person’s property.
Verbal: Repeated name-calling, mocking, humiliating, teasing, threatening, sexist, racist or homophobic comments.
Social: Excluding others from the group, gossiping, spreading rumours, making another person or persons look foolish, and damaging another person’s friendships.
Electronic/Cyber: The repeated use of electronic media (i.e. email, cell phones, text, internet images and Facebook) to threaten, harass, embarrass, spread rumours, socially exclude, or damage reputations or friendships. This may also include the impersonation of another individual in messages, websites, or blogs.
What to do if your child is being bullied:
- Talk and listen to your child to gain more information about their daily lives away from home
- Ask questions about their day like… who did you hang out with at lunch? What was the best/worst part of your day?
- Speak to your teacher or principal if you think your child is being bullied and follow up with them
- Teach your child to trust adults who can help stop the bullying
- Encourage your child to be independent, instead of you being overprotective
- Teach your child social skills, including confidence, needed to make new friends
- Seek help if you are concerned about your child’s mental health
Calendar
This Week
November is Indigenous Peoples Month
Stop Bullying Pledge- students will sign and/or put their hand print on a mural paper to demonstrate their desire to stop bullying
Monday
Tuesday- 3:45PM-5:15PM Math in Action
Wednesday- Musical Presentation for grade 5-8
Thursday- PINK Shirt Day
Math in Action program
Friday- PA Day
UPCOMING EVENTS
11/28- SK/1/2 Trip to Trillium Gymnastics
12/01- Panther Pride Assembly
12/02- Jingle Bell Run
12/05- 6:30PM School Council Meeting
12/06- Bus Safety Presentation
12/15- Parent's Night Out
12/21- Christmas Concert
PROCEEDING WITH PURPOSE
The MEND Approach to Conflict Resolution
The MEND approach is a restorative practice that focuses on relationship building within LDSB school communities. MEND supports preventative community building in classrooms, provides restorative training for staff and students and responsively assists students in conflict to find restorative resolutions. MEND (Mediating by Empowering using Nurturing Dialogue) is a collaborative Youth Diversion/LDSB initiative.
MEND Program Information:
MEND began as a pilot program in 2006. It was initially funded by the Ministry of Child and Youth Services together with funding from both the Ontario Education Services Corporation and the Ministry of Education.
MEND continues today as an integral part of LDSB’s strategic plan and YDP’s approach. This has been made possible by funding from LDSB, the Ontario Trillium foundation, the Ministry of Child and Youth Services and our Kingston community.
MEND (Mediating by Empowering using Nurturing Dialogue) is a Restorative approach/ practice.
Restorative Practice Definition: (Restorative Practice Consortium 2016)
- Restorative Practice is a way of thinking and being based on a foundation of caring, collaborative and respectful relationships.
- Restorative Practice builds and strengthens healthy relationships and community.
- Restorative Practice provides a supportive framework to prevent, respond to, and repair harm through a continuum of practices
The focus of MEND is on building relationships between people (preventative) and on rebuilding and repairing relationships where needed (responsive).
Proceeding with Purpose- Athletics and the Arts
PRPS Volleyball Home Games after school
Fall dates for Athletics
Volleyball:
Division 3
Girls - Thurs. Dec 8, 2016
Boys - Fri., Dec 9, 2016
Boys & Girls Finals - Mon. Dec 12, 2016 - 6:30 pm
Venue to be determined