At Belle River Public School, we are committed to following the ºÚÂí´ÅÁ¦'s (GECDSB) Bullying Prevention and Intervention Plan, which details:
- Bullying education, awareness and outreach
 - Types of bullying and cyber-bullying
 - Behaviours and evaluation of evidence
 - Policies and procedures
 - Approved strategies and programs
 - Goals and action plans
 
The staff at Belle River work diligently to provide a safe positive learning environment. Belle River takes bullying very seriously. We use the following definitions for bullying. Please review the following with your child.
Bullying is a form of aggression in which there is an imbalance of power between the bully and the victim. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. The key elements of bullying are: power imbalance, the bully's intent to harm, victim's distress and the act is repeated over time.
Verbal Bullying behaviours include:
- Making fun of another student
 - Name calling, put downs, insults, taunts, sarcasm
 - Hurtful comments about individual differences, family, clothes or other possessions
 - Racial and/or religious slurs
 - Hurtful comments about sexual gender and preference
 - Spreading rumours
 - Telling students not to play or interact with another
 - Unwelcomed comments that degrade or make another feel uncomfortable
 - Intimidating telephone calls, emails, MSN messages, text messages
 - Threats of violence against person, friends, or family
 - Public challenges to do something
 
Non-Verbal Bullying Behaviours
- Graffiti
 - Hateful or hurtful written comments
 - Slamming books
 - Passing notes with the intent to humiliate or threaten another
 - Written comments telling others to exclude, ignore or reject another person
 - Revealing personal information that could lead to public humiliation
 - Internet bullying behaviour – blogs, websites, MSN messages
 
Physical Bullying Behaviours Include:
- Hitting, pushing, kicking, shoving, poking, chasing, spitting
 - Physical intimidation or assault - with or without weapon
 - Defacing or destroying property
 - Stealing, extortion
 - Acts that demean another such as hazing
 - Unwanted touching
 
The staff works diligently to ensure Belle River Public School is free from bullying. We can't do it alone. Please reinforce the following strategies with your child.
- Seek help from an adult or a peer
 - Make assertive statements to the bully addressing your feelings
 - Look the bully in the eye and say, "Stop"
 - Walk away from the bully
 - Remember there is safety in numbers
 - Avoid certain places to avoid a bullying situation
 
        
    