Safe Schools

At HWDSB, we are committed to making all schools caring and safe places to learn. Our first strategic priority, Positive Culture and Well-being, includes a focus on equity, inclusion, mental health and well-being, safety and acceptance of all staff, students, families and community partners.

We know that bullying exists in our schools and community – and want to do all that we can to prevent it and intervene effectively.

Parents and children should never feel alone or suffer the consequences of bullying in silence. Please tell a teacher, vice-principal or principal at your child’s school immediately if you have a concern.

The Bullying Prevention and Intervention resource contains valuable information for families and students. The resource addresses topics such as what is bullying, what families can do about bullying and much more.

What is bullying?

Bullying is typically a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause), fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying sometimes may also occur in a single event or occurrence.

What should I do if my child is bullied?

• Listen to your child; assure them that they have a right to be safe.
• Know the facts about what happened and when.
• Explain to your child that reporting takes courage and protects others.
• Please tell your child’s teacher, trusted school staff or the principal or vice-principal.
• Remain calm so that you can support your child and co-plan a course of action.
• Stay on course. Watch your child’s behaviour. If meetings with staff don’t stop the bullying, talk to the principal. Follow up on the steps agreed to at the meeting.
• If bullying occurs during sports or activities, speak to the instructor or coach.
• Contact police if bullying involves criminal behaviour (e.g. sexual assault, use of a weapon), or threats outside of school.

How to report bullying

1. Please tell your child’s teacher, vice-principal or principal immediately.
2. If reporting bullying to staff is uncomfortable, students can use the free and anonymous HWDSB Helps service to share a tip about bullying, mental health, substance use and more. Tips are sent to school staff. This is not a crisis line or counselling service.

• Text 905-963-0066. Standard rates apply.
• Download the HWDSB Helps app for iOS and Android.
• Web chat at bit.ly/HWDSBhelpswebchat

If you have questions, please contact your school’s principal.

Community Help

• COAST Hamilton: Mental health crisis line (905) 972-8338; coasthamilton.ca
• Kids Help Phone: 24/7 counselling for youth, crisis line 1-800-668-6868; kidshelpphone.ca
• In case of emergency, call 911.

Policy and Procedure

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Policy

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Procedure

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is committed to making each and every one of its schools a caring place that is safe for learning.

Every student deserves to feel and be safe in a school, on the school grounds, on the school bus and at school events and activities. At Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB), we know safety is essential to good learning. Students learn and teachers teach more successfully when schools are safe.

What is a Code of Conduct?

The Code of Conduct establishes standards of behaviour that are consistent with the Provincial Code of Conduct and applies to all members of the school community. The Code of Conduct promotes respect within the learning and teaching environment, and sets clear Board and school standards of behaviour.

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board believes that all individuals attending on Board or school property, on school buses, or at school-related events or activities, should be treated with dignity and respect.

The Code of Conduct promotes a positive school climate which is a contributing factor to a safe and orderly environment. It also supports Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board’s commitment to all who work and engage in our schools feeling safe, supported and accepted.

The purposes of this Code of Conduct are as follows: 

1. To ensure that all members of the school community, are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, sex, disability, creed, family status, or socio‐economic status.
2. To promote responsible citizenship by encouraging appropriate participation in the civic life of the school community.
3. To maintain an environment where conflict and difference can be addressed in a manner characterized by respect and civility.
4. To encourage the use of non‐violent means to resolve conflict.
5. To promote the safety of people in the schools.
6. To prohibit the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, weapons and firearms.

Roles and Responsibilities

Respect, Civility and Responsible Citizenship

All members of the school community, including Trustees, Board employees, students, parents, Home and School, School Council, visitors, volunteers, contractors, community members on school premises, while on school buses, at school-related events or activities, or in any other circumstances that could have an impact on the climate of the school must:

• Respect and comply with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal laws
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity
• Respect differences in people, their ideas, and their opinions
• Treat one another with dignity and respect at all times, and especially when there is disagreement
• Respect and treat others fairly, regardless of, for example, race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age or ability
• Respect the rights of others
• Show proper care and regard for school property and the property of others
• Take appropriate measures to help those in need
• Seek assistance from a member of the school staff, if necessary, to resolve conflict peacefully
• Respect all members of the school community, especially persons in positions of authority
• Respect the needs of others to work in an environment that is conducive to learning and teaching; and/or not swear at a teacher or at another person in a position of authority.

Safety

All members of the school community must not:

• Engage in any bullying behaviours including cyberbullying
• Commit sexual assault
• Traffic weapons or illegal drugs
• Give drugs or alcohol to a minor
• Commit theft or robbery (theft with violence)
• Be in possession of any weapon, including firearms
• Utter a threat or use any object to threaten or intimidate another person
• Cause injury to any person with an object
• Be in possession of, or be under the influence of, or provide others with alcohol or illegal drugs
• Inflict or encourage others to inflict mental or bodily harm on another person
• Engage in propaganda and other forms of behaviour motivated by hate or bias
• Commit an act of vandalism that causes extensive damage to school property or to property located on the premises of the school.

References

• HWDSB Code of Conduct
• HWDSB Code of Conduct Procedure
• The Provincial Code of Conduct

Appropriate Dress

Appropriate dress is attire that is neat, clean, suited to the learning task, and in keeping with a safe, respectful learning environment. Safe and respectful learning environments allow both teaching and learning to occur.

Please note: This is intended for information purposes. It is not suitable for legal advice and is subject to all applicable laws and Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board policies.

HWDSB is committed to building and sustaining a positive school climate for all students in order to support their education so that all students can reach their full potential. The Education Act requires school boards to ensure that measures are in place that consequence inappropriate behaviours and at the same time provide support for students to change those behaviours.

Progressive discipline can range from detentions to expulsions, depending on the infraction. There is a requirement for schools and school boards to consider all and any mitigating circumstances before issuing a consequence for inappropriate behaviours. Mitigating circumstances may alter the consequence; however, it does not mean that there is no consequence. We know through research that suspensions and expulsions by themselves further alienate the very youth who are in the most need of developing strong positive relationships. To help change a student’s behaviour and to promote inclusiveness, relationship-building, and problem solving, Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is using Restorative Justice practices and a pyramid of interventions to address progressive discipline.

HWDSB Helps is a free and anonymous way for students to find help for themselves and one another. Tips may relate to student mental health, bullying, substance use and more. When students, staff and families help promote a positive school environment, schools are safer and more welcoming places. The service receives anonymous messages and shares the report with staff who follow existing Board and school protocols. This is not a crisis line or counselling service.

Get help or share anonymous tips using…

• Text to 905-963-0066. Standard rates apply.

• The HWDSB Helps app for iOS and Android.

• Web chat
  In case of emergency, call 911.

If you have questions, please contact your school’s principal.

Pink Shirt Day 2022

• Targets of Bullying Tip Sheet
• Preventing Bullying Tips for Parents & Caregivers
• Bullying Tips for Parents & Caregivers
• HWDSB Helps poster

To support our schools and community, HWDSB has also introduced anti-bullying resources including:

• Parent Resource – to understand and reinforce anti-bullying action lessons introduced in 2021.
• A postcard that defines bullying and explains ways to report it
• A fridge magnet that highlights reporting methods
• Posters for schools highlighting the problem and how to stop bullying
• Parent resource: What to do if you want to contact police to intervene in a situation

Cyberbullying:

• Cyberbullying – Student Infographic
• Cyberbullying – Caregiver Infographic
• Cyberbullying Tipsheet
• Cybersafety Tipsheet

The Bullying Prevention and Intervention resource contains valuable information for families and students. The resource addresses topics such as what is bullying, what families can do about bullying and much more.