Teachers, students mark Week Without Violence
Friday, October 22, 2004 - Natalie Miller
Local Catholic school teachers and students took part in a number of initiatives this week to mark the YWCA Week Without Violence.

Deirdre Thomas, superintendent of schools for the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic School Board, is also this year’s Week Without Violence co-chair.

Local activities geared at reducing violence and promoting peace have been ongoing in celebration of the nation-wide event. The Week Without Violence steering committee, made up of 25 people from a variety of community agencies, has organized parenting workshops, penalty-free hockey and a well-being day amongst a host of other events.

“There’s quite a bit (happening) within the schools and the community,” says Deirdre.

The school board took part by holding sessions for teachers on helping students who may be witness to domestic violence break the cycle. The session was designed to give educators the tools to teach students “peace-making skills” so they can go on to lead more tranquil lives, particularly when they start their own families some day, Deirdre explains. The session explored how to recognize the signs of a student who has witnessed domestic violence, along with how to be a support to pupils.

“That was our focus during this week,” Deirdre says.

Students took part in the anti-violence week through positive peer mediation groups that dealt with issues like preventing bullying and conflict resolution that doesn’t involve fists.

The board is also working on appropriate computer use and e-mail messaging. This initiative is about making students and parents aware of how to use computers “in a way that’s respectful,” says Deirdre. “It’s an area we’re working at very diligently.” Deirdre says this involves teaching students how to manage their anger, as venting through e-mail is not appropriate.

Other conflict management and community building initiatives are ongoing, says Deirdre. “Gathering a community together in a Catholic school is very important.”

Week Without Violence runs until tomorrow.

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