STRAIGHT TALK

On June 15, 2012 with little fanfare Bill 56 passed into law - and the Education Act was amended. This was a far cry from the media buzz that had accompanied this Bill when it was first proposed. So while we’re still early into another school year, let’s get down to some straight talk about what Bill 56 is all about, and what you need to know as parents.

The one thing all parties can agree on is that we want all students to feel safe and secure at school. Researchers have found that having a high quality friendship (a person who will stand up for them) is a protective factor against bullying – it’s also a basic need that we all have. But what about those who don’t have a good friend? It takes some work—but social skills can be taught just like any other skill. As parents, we don’t need to feel helpless; we need to help our children acquire the skills that are necessary for developing and sustaining friendships.

Even with friends by their side, it’s not unusual for young people to be reluctant to report what’s happening for fear of repercussion or rejection by peers. So we as parents need to know that if we insist and report the incident that it will lead to a positive outcome, that our report will be taken seriously, and that there will be intervention to put an end to the violence. If we are the parent of a child who is bullying others we also want to know that there will be intervention to help our child learn how to develop healthy relationships and better ways to solve problems. The Quebec government shares these ideals, and Bill 56 is its attempt to create healthy and secure learning environment, and to reduce bullying and violent incidents in the province.

On a first reading of Bill 56 one could be excused from thinking that Quebec schools were not doing anything to address bullying. This could not be further from the truth – most schools aim to create safe and caring environments, and, once made aware of incidents, do their best to stop the bullying behaviour. Some school have done a great job, others have much room for improvement. Bill 56 aims to standardize how and when incidents will be responded to, what will happen to students who continue to commit acts of violence or bullying, and all the while increasing the school’s accountability to parents and the ministry. This Bill empowers parents by making the reporting and response process more transparent, and by mandating referrals of students in need of intervention to social services and/or other outside resources. It also gives parents more options by inviting those not satisfied with the interventions put into place by the school to speak with the student ombudsman.

The first presentation of Bill 56 was met with a vigorous response from educators and others all over the province. It wasn’t just about the bill – similar bills exist in other Canadian provinces. Rather, the unhappiness was directed at the incomplete definition of bullying and the very prescriptive and reactive model of addressing schools’ responses to incidents of bullying and violence. We are happy to see that the definition now matches the internationally agreed definition. According to Bill 56; “any repeated direct or indirect behaviour, comment, act or gesture, whether deliberate or not, including in cyberspace, which occurs in a context where there is a power imbalance between the persons concerned and which causes distress and injures, hurts, oppresses, intimidates or ostracizes”. By including the word “repeated” there is a clear distinction made between bullying and conflicts, since as adults we know that not everything is bullying. Our children need to know the difference as well, and have the support to develop the social skills necessary to solve interpersonal problems.

Many of us are far more interested in the prevention of bullying than intervention after the fact. Much research has been written about the protective power of friendship. Having good social skills, and one good friend, will help protect your child against victimization. For some children this is a very tall order, and for these children social skill groups can be a lifesaver. Given that bullying occurs in Canadian elementary school playgrounds once every 7 minutes, it’s clear that a focus on prevention leads to higher rate of success for all students, including the most vulnerable students - those with Special Needs.

Parents will want to familiarize themselves with the school’s anti-bullying anti-violence plan and code of conduct. This main purpose of the plan is to prevent and deal with all forms of bullying and violence targeting students, teachers or other staff members. There is also a focus on acts motivated by racism, homophobia, sexual orientation, sexual identity, a handicap or a physical characteristic. And of course the types of disciplinary sanctions based on the severity and repetitive nature of the act. Bill 56 stipulates that if your child is suspended for bullying or violence that you will be informed of the assistance, remedial and reintegration measure that will be imposed. Should the student continue to act in a violent manner, this bill now includes the possibility of moving a student from their home school - or even expulsion from the school board in very serious cases.

It’s good to know that we are all working toward ensuring that children feel safe and secure at school and that they will be able to actually experience the carefree childhood that we wish for them. We wish you and your young people a happy and safe school year!

By dm family & school services