National Bullying Awareness Week is one moment a year when schools make special efforts to look at the critically important issue. But school boards, teachers and students understand that bullying is a 24/7 problem all year-round, and it’s one that is addressed in schools every single day.
Sir Alexander Mackenzie (SAM) and Ronald Harvey Elementary Schools have both adopted the Leader in Me – 7 Habits program, an international leadership model aimed at unleashing a child’s full potential. Using a common language of habits or goals, the program empowers students to be proactive, accept personal responsibility and find their own voice.
“The program is a great complement to our anti-bullying efforts,” said SAM principal John Strembitsky, “and we’ve seen a significant drop in bullying in our school. The staff and students – everyone embraces the concept that we can all be leaders.”
Thanks to the program, Strembitsky said students have even taken the lead with monthly assemblies, proving to he and his staff that everyone, child and teacher alike, can demonstrate leadership at different times.
That same sense of empowerment is exemplified in the school’s GAB (Girls Against Bullying) club, a twice weekly meet-up of grade 4 to 6 girls to share experiences and come up with ideas to handle bullying situations as they arise.
“We learn that leaving someone out or talking behind their back can be bullying,” said a Grade 6 student. “Boys usually bully with physical contact, but girls use words that hurt,” said Bridget, another GAB club member.
Creating videos that demonstrate what bullying looks like, and even planning a fundraiser to help girls in other parts of the world feel empowered, the club has made an impact, according to SAM teacher Natasha Wawrychuk.
“We started the club last year after the teen girl’s death due to bullying in B.C. – just as a way to offer support and sharing for other girls,” said Wawrychuk. “But it was mind-blowing to see the amount of things going on for girls as young as nine or 10. We thought, if we can make a difference before junior high, maybe the girls who bully or are bullied can see that we’re in it together.
High school students from St. Albert and Edmonton attended a Youth Action Conference on ‘inner strength’ earlier this week at Servus Place, expressing ideas and ways to stop bullying through drama, music or dance workshops. “We sent some of our students – we liked the focus on the positive – the good within these kids,” said Lorne Akins drama teacher Sally Rudakoff.
“Each of our schools has individual projects that talk about standing up to bullying, but the focus continues to be that every day of every week, it’s about building character and caring individuals,” added Greater St. Albert Catholic Schools superintendent David Keohane.
