November 21st, 2021
At WO we are committed to fostering a school culture that is respectful and prioritizes the inclusion of all. We remain commited to the safety and well-being of all of our students.
Ontario has designated the week beginning on the third Sunday of November as Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week.
During Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week – November 21-27, 2021 – our students, school staff and parent/caregivers are encouraged to learn more about bullying and its effects on student learning and well-being.
What is Bullying?
Bullying is defined as a form of repeated, persistent and aggressive behaviour directed at an individual or individuals that is intended to cause (or should be known to cause) fear and distress and/or harm to another person’s body, feelings, self-esteem or reputation. Bullying occurs in a context where there is a real or perceived power imbalance.
TBullying can occur in different ways. These include:
- Physical – hitting, shoving, stealing or damaging property
- Verbal – name calling, mocking, or making sexist, racist or homophobic comments
- Social – excluding others from a group or spreading gossip or rumours about them
- Electronic (commonly known as cyberbullying) – spreading rumours and hurtful comments through the use of cellphones, e-mail, text messaging and through social media.
At WO, and in all schools, every student has the right to feel safe and be treated with respect and dignity.
