Safe Schools

Wednesday, October 25, 2006 03:55 AM

When it comes to feeling safe, Assistant Superintendent Tony Sweet says plenty is being done by School District 57 to ensure students not only feel safe, but are safe.

Sweet says there are a half a dozen codes or policies in effect for School District 57, there are codes of conduct at each school in the district, and those codes have been recently reviewed.

While all schools in the District have social responsibility programs, fewer than half (40%)have made it a specific education goal to reduce the incidencts of bullying, violence and harrassment among students.

A recent survey asked students if they felt safe in school.

The percentage of students who felt safe in school all or most of the time differs depending on the grade.

Grade	2001/02	2004/05
4	80%	87%
7	73%	78%
10	62%	71%
12	72%	74%

Why the big drop from grade 7 to grade 10? Sweet says those are the early years when students are feeling a great deal of pressure. By Grade 12, Sweet says students are more focused on their studies. Sweet says "When parents ask; what is being done to deal with violence and bullying, I can say with confidence we are doing a great deal. Are more students coming forth? I’m not sure. We really do try to encourage parents and students that they can come forward in safety to report incidents of bullying and violence."

A second question asked students if they felt bullied, teased or picked on a few times or no times. The vast majority said they had either never been picked on or had been a few times:

Grade	2001/02	2004/05
4	68%	73%
7	71%	77%
10	77%	77%
12	79%	82%

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Posted on Wednesday, October 25, 2006 03:55 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: kitkat on October 25 2006 4:02 AM

That is encourging, I'd like to see how these surveys are worded though, and I'm curious if any parents took part. (Based on what their kids claimed was taking place).

Posted by: anniemartin on October 25 2006 7:44 AM

I'm just glad to see that this is an on-going program. I know that I witnessed bulling when I was in school, but thankfully had parents who taught us the meaning of "there but for the Grace of God go I" and we always stood up for those being bullied. It is hard enough finding your way as a kid - being bullied or being an outcast is one of the worst things that can happen to a kids self-esteem.

Posted by: owl on October 25 2006 8:57 AM

"While all schools in the District have social responsibility programs, fewer than half (40%)have made it a specific education goal to reduce the incidencts of bullying, VIOLENCE and harrassment among students.

I realize that cannot enforce fighting such as was the point of discussion of another article, however, maybe the RCMP can make sure that they are all on the same page as the schools on violence outside of school, especially if it deals with inter school rivalry.