Staff and students in Catholic schools throughout Windsor-Essex will join others from across Canada next week to raise awareness about the harmful effects of bullying, while encouraging everyone to practice being kind.

Nov 19-25 is Bullying Awareness and Prevention Week and this year’s theme is a simple one: Be Kind. During that time, schools will participate in a variety of activities to reinforce the message that bullying can never be tolerated.

“Bullying can have serious impacts on a student's ability to learn, as well as long-term negative consequences for their emotional, psychological, and spiritual growth,” said Superintendent Steven Bellaire, who oversees the safe schools portfolio for the WECDSB. “But if we all work together to spread kindness wherever we are, and call out bullying when we see it, we can put an end to these harmful effects.”

Many students will be taking our new Bullying Pledge, which was authored by Safe Schools Principal Mona Taouil. 

“We felt that by saying these words together, students would be more inclined to put them into actual practice, to treat others with compassion and empathy and remember that everyone deserves kindness,” she said.

Find out more about our board’s approach to bullying here, and then check out this great video of some of our students reciting the Bullying Pledge.