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Huron Expositor, 2007-02-21, Page 6Page 6 February 21, 2007 • The Huron Expositor News Bullying survey reveals `disturbing' results St. James School responds by inviting parents to join new safe school initiative Susan Hundertmark allEMEND While bullying is an issue schools have been dis- cussing for years, results of a survey of students throughout the Huron Perth Catholic District School Board have disturbed teach- ers and parents, says St. James principal Mary Brown. "Results at St. James and all schools were a real eye- opener," she says. For example, 69 per cent of the students in Grade 6-8 at St. James said they were not likely to talk to a trust- ed adult if bullied. As well, over 50 per cent of those surveyed felt that bullying was common and that school staff wouldn't do anything if students report- ed their problems with bul- lying. "We thought we were doing great with this issue at the school but it's a really deep problem," says Brown. In response, the school has started a new initiative involving parents in a safe and healthy school commit- tee that will look at bullying prevention and creating healthy relationships. A recent Super Supper night inviting parents to "have some soup and get into the loop," drew about 30 parents. "It wasn't a huge turnout but the parents who came gained a greater awareness and we had some great con- versations about how they experienced bullying," says Brown. She adds the results of the survey are going to be sent to everyone. "Parents whose children ,'- ti k'' \A.y.A.(.r1 fie.. y .w.� Susan Hundertmark photo St. James Grade 7 students Megan Bedard, Kylie Hendricks, Matt Vincent, Steven Parsons and Courtney Janmaat stand in front of posters they made highlighting important facts about bullying. haven't reported bullying usually aren't aware of the scope of the problem," says Brown. Students created posters with the survey results they felt parents needed to be most informed about. Posters included the fact that 52 per cent say they wouldn't tell their parents if they were bullied, 53 per cent wouldn't tell a friend if they were bullied and 53 per cent won't report bullying because they're afraid of being excluded from their group of friends. Brown says there's a wide variation between percep- tions held by families about bullying. "Some just think bullying is part of being a kid. But, what was fine a generation ago often isn't tolerated any- more," she says. Brown says that while dramatic improvement has been made with physical bullying, it's tougher to deal with verbal and emotional bullying. "It's easier to spot physical bullying but exclusion is so much harder to monitor and that can be just as hurtful," she says. Parent Bonnie Clark says the survey showed her that bullying is a larger issue than she thought. "I think something has to be done but I'm not sure what the answer is," she says. She says while physical bullying is decreasing, ver- bal bullying is on the increase for both boys and girls. "We (parents) tend to ignore it if our child is not coming home with a black eye but I think verbal bully- ing is worse because the kids start to believe what people are telling them," she says. Parent Gail Fonseca agrees. "It's more intense and it's more emotional today. Kids don't get over the verbal bullying - it's damaging and often done deceitfully," she says. "We're finding it's happen- ing on the way to and from school and it's on the com- puter after school." Fonseca says getting rid of cliques and teaching kids to respect each other are solu- tions she sees. While she says she thinks it might be unrealistic to ever eliminate bullying com- pletely, Brown says the safe schools committee is hoping to reduce bullying and to make it less acceptable. To that end, the school is holding a peacemakers' workshop for Grade 1 stu- dents with facilitator Therese Bowler, of Bayfield, ultimately training 12 stu- dents to become playground mediators. "Perhaps the kids will take their issues to other kids, if not to staff," she says. As well, the school has recently acquired a number of books for parents to bor- row about bullying and other related issues such as anorexia, drug abuse and nutrition. Brown says the committee wants to tackle the issue by focussing on both sides, including the kid who is bul- lied and the kid doing the bullying. "Often the kids doing the bullying and the kids being bullied feel exactly the same way - unfairly left out," she says. "Ultimately, we want to help kids become better peo- ple - more compassionate and empathetic - so they can pass that message on when they become adults," says Brown. The St. James safe schools committee meets once a month and is working on various ideas to prevent bul- lying. St. Thomas Anglican Pa ChA Cavegatte of The urch us Jarvis St. Seaforth 527-1522 Rector: The Rev'd Sue Malpus. M. Div Sunday. February 25- First Sunday of Lent WORSHIP AT 9:30 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL & NURSERY AT 9:30 AM Everyone Welcome Ash Wednesday Worship - Feb. 21 al 130 pm Rector's Coffee Hours Tuesdays 9-11 with Daily Office devotions time at 9 am Mon. Feb 26 - 7 pm - Huron Deanery Counai meets in Ctnton St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. C'hns Gillespie Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am B&G Club Wed. 7:00 - 8:15 pm Youth Activities Wed. 7:00 pm Pastor Mark Kennedy EVERYONE WELCOME Egmondville United Church Pastor Steve Hildebrand Sunday, February 25 WORSHIP 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM FEB. 21ST ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7:30 PM NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould Sunday February 25th Worship at 11:OOam Sermon: "A Logical End To A Sett -Centred Life" All Welcome. Sunday School & Nursery During Worship First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday February 25 11:15 am service Sunday School & Nursery Provided. ,'- ti k'' \A.y.A.(.r1 fie.. y .w.� Susan Hundertmark photo St. James Grade 7 students Megan Bedard, Kylie Hendricks, Matt Vincent, Steven Parsons and Courtney Janmaat stand in front of posters they made highlighting important facts about bullying. haven't reported bullying usually aren't aware of the scope of the problem," says Brown. Students created posters with the survey results they felt parents needed to be most informed about. Posters included the fact that 52 per cent say they wouldn't tell their parents if they were bullied, 53 per cent wouldn't tell a friend if they were bullied and 53 per cent won't report bullying because they're afraid of being excluded from their group of friends. Brown says there's a wide variation between percep- tions held by families about bullying. "Some just think bullying is part of being a kid. But, what was fine a generation ago often isn't tolerated any- more," she says. Brown says that while dramatic improvement has been made with physical bullying, it's tougher to deal with verbal and emotional bullying. "It's easier to spot physical bullying but exclusion is so much harder to monitor and that can be just as hurtful," she says. Parent Bonnie Clark says the survey showed her that bullying is a larger issue than she thought. "I think something has to be done but I'm not sure what the answer is," she says. She says while physical bullying is decreasing, ver- bal bullying is on the increase for both boys and girls. "We (parents) tend to ignore it if our child is not coming home with a black eye but I think verbal bully- ing is worse because the kids start to believe what people are telling them," she says. Parent Gail Fonseca agrees. "It's more intense and it's more emotional today. Kids don't get over the verbal bullying - it's damaging and often done deceitfully," she says. "We're finding it's happen- ing on the way to and from school and it's on the com- puter after school." Fonseca says getting rid of cliques and teaching kids to respect each other are solu- tions she sees. While she says she thinks it might be unrealistic to ever eliminate bullying com- pletely, Brown says the safe schools committee is hoping to reduce bullying and to make it less acceptable. To that end, the school is holding a peacemakers' workshop for Grade 1 stu- dents with facilitator Therese Bowler, of Bayfield, ultimately training 12 stu- dents to become playground mediators. "Perhaps the kids will take their issues to other kids, if not to staff," she says. As well, the school has recently acquired a number of books for parents to bor- row about bullying and other related issues such as anorexia, drug abuse and nutrition. Brown says the committee wants to tackle the issue by focussing on both sides, including the kid who is bul- lied and the kid doing the bullying. "Often the kids doing the bullying and the kids being bullied feel exactly the same way - unfairly left out," she says. "Ultimately, we want to help kids become better peo- ple - more compassionate and empathetic - so they can pass that message on when they become adults," says Brown. The St. James safe schools committee meets once a month and is working on various ideas to prevent bul- lying.