Bullying Awareness Week for Saskatchewan started on November 13 and will be observed until November 19.
Since 2003, Bullying Awareness Week has been held annually across Canada as a way to encourage youth to speak out against bullying in their schools and communities. This year’s theme is “Stand Up! (to bullying).”
“There is simply no place for bullying in our schools or our communities,” said Don Morgan, Deputy Premier and Education Minister. “I encourage all young people who experience or witness bullying to talk to a trusted adult, report it anonymously through the province’s student online bullying reporting tool or call Kids Help Phone or Saskatchewan Health Line 811. It’s up to each of us to do our part to prevent bullying, so please speak up.”
The Ministry of Education and SaskTel work together through I Am Stronger to stop bullying and cyberbullying. Students will find information on how they can get help, report bullying online from a smartphone, tablet or computer and promote positive change in their schools and communities online at iamstronger.ca.
The website also offers resources about bullying for youth, families and educators.
In 2013, the provincial government released Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying based on thoughts about the effects of bullying shared by more than 1,000 students, teachers, parents and community members.
Since its release, the Ministry of Education has responded to the recommendations in the Action Plan in a number of ways, including: an anonymous smartphone-friendly online reporting tool; Digital Citizenship Education in Saskatchewan Schools — a resource to help teachers and administrators educate students on safe and appropriate online practices as well as how to deal with cyberbullying; Deepening the Discussion: Gender and Sexual Diversity - a professional resource to help educators develop a better understanding of gender and sexual diversity; and partnering with SaskTel’s I Am Stronger campaign to provide grants of up to $1,000 for youth-led initiatives to address bullying or cyberbullying.
To find out more about Saskatchewan’s Action Plan to Address Bullying and Cyberbullying, go online to www.saskatchewan.ca/residents/education-and-learning/anti-bullying.
