The Near North District School Board is surveying parents, teachers, principals and other school staff to find out if Bullying is a problem in area schools.
The board sent information about the Parent School Climate Survey to parents and staff last week.
The two-page survey asks questions about issues relating to racism and bullying and how the school is dealing with any problems.
“Bullying has always been around so it’s always been an issue and certainly the survey, I’ve taken it as a parent, and the survey asks parents questions about their child and their experiences at school and regarding bullying and it’s an important opportunity for parents to communicate back to us as a school board on issues that are directly related to their children,” said Near North District School Board Chair David Thompson.
Thompson says this isn’t a survey being conducted as a reaction to recent concerns in Near North Schools, but instead it’s a unique way to improve communication.
“One of our downsides has always been communication and this is one of the pieces we are trying to improve communication between the schools, the school board and the parents,” said Thompson.
“And surveys are a good way to give access to as many people as possible so they can voice their concerns and opinions and that’s the information we want to hear back.”
While Thompson doesn’t believe Bullying is a serious problem, he knows it exists.
“I think as a board it is realistic to think that there is bullying going on and there’s bullying that we are not aware of,” he said.
“Kids are very afraid and embarrassed to tell their parents or teachers or anyone that there are issues, other problems going on. It’s one thing to identify, the issues is now that you know as the school board or the principal of the school, what are you going to do? This is where we are engaging the whole community right down to the teachers and the EA’s, janitors to parents, grandparents, guardians. It comes down to the safety of our students and children.”
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