School sends letter home to parents in wake of our report on bullying

Dear Parents/Guardians and Central Senior Students;

I am writing this letter to share with you our concern around recent reports of bullying particularly taking place after school hours and away from school property.

First of all, I want to remind all students that we have high expectations for behaviour at Central Senior School. These expectations are outlined in the Student Handbook sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year. It is important for you to know that the school will inve

Our school works regularly with our local police services to address bullying. Discussions around bullying can begin at an early age at home. Our local police community service officers (CSO) begin discussions about bullying and cyberbullying with students in grade 6. The local CSO comes to our school regularly and speaks with students and parents to address any reports of bullying.

We want to work in partnership with students, parents, and our police partners. Together we can address all forms of bullying. I encourage parents to monitor student use of social media to know who is being followed and who follows them back. Awareness of videos being watched and liked is also an important consideration. Discussions at home about online activity and how easy it is to indirectly contribute to the problem of bullying are very important. We do not want to help create an audience and platform for bullying behaviour.

If a student, or parent of a student, is aware of a bullying situation, please contact the City of Kawartha Lakes Police Service at 705-324-5252 and speak to an officer. If a bullying situation is taking place at the school, please also contact the school office.

Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely

Sheila Shauf

Principal