The need for acts of kindness and caring in schools and the community were issues addressed on March 11 when the Hamed Nastoh Anti-Bullying Coalition hosted a Stand Up for Solutions round table in Surrey.
The day marked the sixth anniversary of the day Hamed Nastoh, a 14-year-old teen, took his life as a way to escape bullying. It was the coalition’s fifth event and there were about 70 people in attendance, half of whom were youth.
According to Todd Hauptman, a Langley Kwantlen University College student and member of the coalition, the event went well. This year’s focus was on building awareness and knowledge of solutions for bullying.
“The biggest thing and difference from last year was the new sense of optimism for solutions and change in the way communities deal with harassment,” said Hauptman.
Judi Vankevich, the president and founder of The Manners Club and another Langley representative at the round table, felt the event was filled with hope. She said people know what bullying and youth violence is, but the focus needs to be on finding positive steps to stop the issue in the future.
“People don’t need another lecture, we need practical steps,” Vankevich said.
Experts, youth, parents and politicians were present at the round table to voice recommendations on how to tackle the issue of bullying and youth violence.
Hauptman suggested that there needs to be greater community spirit. He explained that more meaningful and positive behaviour would allow for connections between schools and the community. Other suggestions made at the round table included a national bullying prevention strategy, education programs for both parents and schools, and presenting practical ways the community can address the issue.
Hauptman said Langley school district has been a leader in harassment policies and strategies and is considered to be one of the better school districts. Since introducing the Stand Together student anti-harassment curriculum, taught to all Grade 8, 9 and 10 students, he believes there has been a reduction in the number of incidents in schools.
“The curriculum has helped students learn to address bulling and youth violence and feel empowered to address the issue and know what to do and what steps to take as a victim and bystander,” he said.
Les Dukowski, D.W. Poppy Secondary school principal and president-elect of the B.C. Principals’ and Vice-Principals’ Association, says that bullying and youth violence is an issue for all schools. He said that at Poppy it is an issue taken seriously and one that is addressed and dealt with carefully from the beginning of the year at opening assemblies.
He believes the Stand Together curriculum has made a difference and kids are much more aware. “Our kids are much better,” he added.
Along with the curriculum, Dukowski said Poppy has implemented a successful program called Restorative Action, where they train peer mediators.
Charlie Etchell, assistant superintendent of schools in Langley, said that in a recent survey it appears there has been a significant improvement in the reduction of bullying issues. Students admitted to feeling safer at school and there was a visible reduction in the number of students who said they were being bullied, called names and teased.
Hauptman, who has been a victim of bullying in the past, said as long as students are still crying out for help there is still a need to address the issue.
He believes there needs to be greater consequences and accountability for harassment and greater emphasis on a school environment where bullying and youth violence are not tolerated.
Hauptman feels there is still a problem with written complaints. Students need to know they can write a complaint and the issue will be followed through.
By: Kerrie-Ann Schoenit
Times Reporter
March 29 / 06
The Langley Times (Click here for link)
Related:Fatal error: Call to undefined function mrp_show_related_posts() in /home/kps/bcsikhs.com/wp-content/themes/current-arras-theme/single.php on line 42