This timeline outlines steps to reduce the incidence of bullying in your school.
First Month
- Administer a survey to assess the incidence of bullying in the school; communicate the results.
- Match students identified as being involved in a bullying situation with an adult who is able to provide support to help them resolve the problem.
- Schedule training in supportive bullying intervention for staff members.
- Establish a Bullying Prevention Committee – involving students, parents and school staff – to begin developing an action plan for bullying prevention.
Second Month
- Implement focus groups involving parents, students and school staff to discuss the results of the bullying survey, and to seek feedback from the school community regarding the action plan for bullying prevention.
- Update and/or create the school’s Code of Conduct with the Bullying Prevention Committee.
Third Month
- Produce a draft of the Code of Conduct and of an updated school policy on bullying intervention procedures. These policies are with the policies and requirements of the school board and the Ministry of Education.
- Share the draft of the Code of Conduct and the Bullying Intervention Policy and Procedures – written in language that is accessible to students – with staff, parents and students. Elicit feedback, comments, and questions.
Fourth Month
- Assess feedback from parents, staff and students and update the Code of Conduct and Bullying Intervention Policy accordingly.
- Complete final versions of the Code of Conduct and the Bullying Intervention Policy. Inform staff, and students and parents, in writing, of the contents of these documents.
Fifth Month
- Plan the implementation of other aspects of the bullying prevention plan (training on conflict resolution, sensitization related to respect for diversity or student-led initiatives.
- Develop a method for evaluating the implementation of the Bullying Intervention Policy and Procedures.
Sixth Month
- Evaluate the implementation of the Bullying Intervention Policy in consultation with school staff, students and parents.
- Evaluate the school’s overall bullying prevention policy and updated Code of Conduct in consultation with the school staff, students and parents (focus groups and surveys can be an effective way to consult members of the school community).
- Hold a community meeting to present the school’s progress in implementing its bullying prevention plan and to elicit discussion and seek feedback and suggestions from the school community.
This timeline is proposed as an example. Bullying prevention will not be completed in six months and the specific needs and realities of each community will vary. The plan for each school will be unique to the needs of its community.