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Letter
Putting
an end to verbal aggression
October 30, 2002
I have been the Principal at St. Joseph Catholic School in Douro, Ontario
for 2 years. It is a great school. The students are
respectful, considerate and committed to learning. We have few difficulties
with physical aggression. We do however
have a great deal of difficulty with verbal aggression.
To put an end to verbal aggression at St. Joseph Catholic School, we have:
- had our behaviour resource person from the board office into 3 classrooms
to complete extensive Anti Bullying workshops with the
students
- had the police into the school twice each year to talk to classes about
bullying in person and on the internet / chat rooms
- initiated small group experiences with community agencies
- worked individually with Bullies and their victims
This year we teamed up with the Ontario Peer Helpers'
Association. This organization runs a "Banish Bullying by Caring"
workshop.
The goal of the workshop is to teach bystanders/observers
to recognize
bullying behaviours and realize that he/she can do something about these
behaviours. By caring about themselves and
others, students and teachers can work together to break the cycle of
bullying.
Leaving the workshop the students have been educated
on the use of bystander 'CARE keys' to banish bullying.
C- Compassion
A- Action
R- Responsibility
E- Environment
The students are also made aware of victim keys
which as called: 'Keys to Your Safety'. Students are taught how to diffuse
a bullying
situation. Students are made aware of their option to:
- walk away
- get help
- laugh it off
- say how you feel
Students who learn and use these options, never
have to resort to using violence - which makes them a bully as well.
The workshop is an excellent beginning to a school
campaign against bullying. Ontario Peer Helpers' Association can be reached
at
905-372-7275 or peerhelping@hotmail.com.
Ontario Peer Helpers' Association also has a web site at www.peerhelping.com.
Sincerely,
Sheila Piggott
Principal
St. Joseph Catholic School
Douro, Ontario
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