A recent social media post about bullying and safety concerns, has sparked conversation.

Bullying is a hot topic in schools and has varied interpretations depending on the situation, as well as, who and what was involved. But when a safety concern is noted...when and how should parents become involved?!

Murray Besenski, Associate Superintendent of Rocky View Schools, says the first step in resolving any conflict is making sure the school is aware. "Administration or some school official, could be a teacher, a noon supervisor, someone should be notified of the situation; that is step one, we become aware of it. Then it has to be investigated to determine is it truly bullying? Is it systematic, ongoing, unwanted physical, verbal, or social media that is absolutely unnecessary and unwanted attention?"

Once identified who and what was involved, the school should conduct an investigation to determine the full story. "What lead up to it? It's not just the event, it's the history; we have to get as big of a picture as we possibly can, which can take some time. We want to really interview the person to find out what has been happening, talk to other kids to determine what is going on and really why, if we can figure out a why?!"

Karen Ryhorchuk, Senior Communications Specialist with Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD), says the Catholic system encourages students and parents to take many of the same steps as RVS. Identifying a safe, trusted adult and encouraging parents to take concerns to school administration. "We want parents to feel free to approach their school administration; so typically when concerns are brought forth it is usually to school administration or to a teacher."

Ryhorchuk, says it is extremely important to the CCSD that if concerns are not being handled in a satisfied manner at the local level that parents feel comfortable to take concerns higher. "We want parents to feel free that if something is not working at the local school level that they can absolutely contact the area director or the superintendent to bring forth their concerns. We want to create that openness and that environment where parents can feel free to share those concerns and take the appropriate steps to solve it."

When it comes to resolving an unwanted conflict, Besenski says consequences become part of the conversation. "Whether that be to the individual, what did you do and how long has this been going on? And part of consequences is two parts; one is to say this shouldn't happen, you chose to do it, and something happens. The second part of consequences is to help the person learn, we are an educational institution so we try to help the victim plus the other person learn this is not how we deal with things. Why are you choosing this type of behaviour?"

Consequences are specific to each situation, shares Besenski, "there is no, if a child does 'x' they get 'y' consequence automatically; very few school divisions will do a no thinking type of response just because every circumstance is different."

Besenski, says in the RVS division, if a parent is not feeling heard, validated, or the situation continues they have every right to an appeal process. "We ask that parents contact their area director, we have one area director in each of our areas and they can phone or email that person and say I am not happy with that decision, or lack of decision at that school, or no decision, or just make you aware of what happened as a system. It becomes another set of eyes."

When issues escalate up the chain, Besenski says the division has a global approach on whether the situation was handled correctly, modifications need to be made, or rectified. 

In the end both school systems say every child has a right to a safe education. Ryhorchuk shares, "it is definitely a priority to make sure we have safe and caring school environments because we know students are productive when they feel safe and cared for."

If you are a parent or student in need of help here are some resources:

CSSD:

Luba Diduch, Superintendent, Area B Schools 403-500-2606

Serafino Scarpino, CCSD Trustee for Cochrane, 403-500-2550                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

RVSD:

Greg Luterbach, Superintendent,  403-945-4002

Manny Ferreirinha, Area Director of Schools,  403-945-4023                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Community Support Services:

  • Family and Community Support Services 403-851-2250
  • Addiction and Mental Health Services 403-851-6100
  • Cochrane and Area Victim Services 403-851-8055
  • Cochrane Community Health Centre 403-851-6000
  • Cochrane Youth Association 403-932-4747
  • Cochrane RCMP 403-932-2211 or 911
  • 24 Hr Distress Centre Crisis Line 403-266-4357
  • 24 Hr Community Resource Team 403-299-9699
  • Calgary Communities Against Sexual Assault 1-877-237-5888
  • Child and Family Services 403-297-2995
  • Connection Line (264-Teen, Peer Talk Line) 403-264-8336