Bullying Prevention & Intervention

The Peel District School Board is committed to providing a safe, nurturing, welcoming, respectful, inclusive and accepting climate for learning and working. We promote a positive school climate that is inclusive and accepting of all students, including students of any race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital staus, family status or disability. We actively promote the development of positive character attributes and the prevention of bullying.

As defined by the Ministry of Education, bullying is typically 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. Bullying can be based on factors such as size, strength, age, intelligence, peer group power, economic status, social status, religion, ethnic origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, disability or the receipt of special education. Bullying may include the use of any physical, verbal, electronic, written or other means.   

Every school has a Climate for Learning and Working Team which is required to develop a Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan as part of their School Success Plan. Each school's plan includes a bullying prevention and intervention goal, a series of proactive/prevention strategies, a series of responsive/intervention strategies, training strategies for all members of the school community, and measures/indicators for monitoring and review. Please see the Peel District School Board Bullying Prevention and Intervention Template used by schools to create their plan.

Bullying Prevention and Intervention Template - Elementary
Bullying Prevention and Intervention Template - Secondary

Students and staff are taught to:

• define bullying
• identify forms of bullying
• identify roles in bullying relationships: the person who bullies, the target, the bystander or trusted advocate, the safe adult
• identify strategies for addressing bullying
• identify strategies for reporting incidents of bullying
• identify supports for the target, the witness and the bully  

School bullying prevention and intervention plans are shared with school councils. To view a copy of your school's plan, please contact your child's/teen's principal.

We take bullying seriously

Every employee who is involved in the care and service of students is obligated to report to the school administration, in writing, any student action observed by or reported to that staff member for which the principal must consider suspension or expulsion. Bullying is an offence that must be considered for suspension or expulsion.

The Peel board takes the issue of bullying very seriously. If a student reports to a staff member that he or she is the target or witness of bullying, we will provide a safe space and the time necessary for the student to report the experience. We will empower the student with problem-solving strategies and facilitate ongoing support to ensure student safety.  

We know each student is a unique individual and that every situation has a set of special circumstances. However, we communicate clear expectations for student behaviour through our Safe Schools Policy #48 and the school's Code of Conduct. Students who behave inappropriately will be involved in a range of progressive discipline interventions and consequences that may include, but are not limited to: verbal reminders, contact with parents, withdrawal of privileges, referral to counselling, suspension and/or expulsion.

Parents/guardians can expect to be notified by the school about bullying situations in which their child has been involved as the target, witness or bully. We value our partnership with parents/guardians as we provide supports to help our students address their role in bullying incidents. We proactively encourage and empower our students to develop healthy, positive relationships and make safe choices.  

Safe Schools Policy #48

Report to Board – Bullying Prevention and Intervention Programs in the Peel board

Ministry of Education’s "Bullying: We can all help stop it—A Guide for Parents" Bullying Awareness and Prevention Tip Sheet for Parents

 Bullying Awareness and Prevention Tip Sheet for Students