Bullying... Shifting the Balance

At a recent forum held at my school during Ontario's Anti-Bullying week (third week in November) I had the great pleasure of renewing my acquaintance with a professor at Brock University- Dr. Zoptito Marini- who is a leading researcher in the field of bullying. During our preliminary discussions, it was decided that we would emphasize the positive aspects that are required in school environments to address this problem. Specifically, the evening was framed within the context of community building. The focus was going to be on creating a school environment that shifts the balance in favour of those helping to build people up rather than bring them down. In his keynote address, Dr. Marini engaged an audience of students, teachers, staff, and parents on the root causes of bullying, how to identify it in its various forms, and most importantly, how to shift the balance away from rewarding bullies to empowering those who want to put a stop to bullying in schools. It was fitting that following the talk, a panel consisting of the head of student services (health center), a parent and counsellor, and two student leaders (male and female) weighed in on the discussion that was created. Each offered in her and his terms a message that was consistent with that of the keynote speaker. The discussion generated coalesced around the following three areas: 1. The need for a Community Values Statement. Possibilities for a school-wide campaign from grades JK-8 included: “Take a stand, lend a hand.” “Who can I turn to?” “Whose got my back?” “Don’t be a bystander, buy in.” “Talk, Walk, Squawk.” “Be an ally, be a friend.” 2. Identified (by students and staff) areas of concern around the school where bullying is most likely to occur: - change rooms - lunch room (need for an emphasis on politeness and good manners) - recess and playground - dorm (at our residential school) - cyberspace.

3. Finally a classroom Protocol on Bullying that can be understood in the everyday language of a student emerged: a. Is this a disagreement/conflict or bullying situation? b. Have I clearly expressed my feelings/opinion? (to the other person, to an adult, to a parent or family member) c. Who can I turn to for help? (teacher, advisor, coach, parent, health center) d. Has the problem stopped? e. Do I feel safe and happy about myself at school? To be sure, our school community is a positive one and the incidence of bullying is quite low. That doesn't mean that we can't improve, because there is always room for improvement. The important thing is that we are addressing the issue in a comprehensive manner and involving the entire school community in the process. That is how the balance gets shifted.

Nations...United

For the better part of the past two months I have been involved daily with the coaching of our school's senior boy's soccer team. It was a whirlwind of activity and a greatly enjoyable experience to be working with these students on a daily basis. Having facilities that would be the envy of many professional clubs and university programs, Ridley College is well-equipped to be a leading program in Canadian independent school high school soccer. As an international boarding school we are fortunate enough to attract students from countries all over the globe. While the majority of players are homegrown (the Niagara region of Canada), a good number of players come from other countries. For example, it is not a stretch to describe the following play: Canadian boarding student goalkeeper makes a terrific save and calmly distributes the ball to his centre-half from France. A driven pass to the wing arrives at the feet of a German midfielder. A neat passing sequence between his midfield partners- from Spain and the Bahamas respectively- opens up a scoring opportunity. A Canadian born day student of Polish descent races to goal and neatly squares it across to his trailing American teammate, who drives the ball into the net for the winning goal. The scenario above would be very common in our school team that is a veritable united nations. That does not take into account the variety of indirect nationalities that are no more than a generation removed from the origin of their parents' birth: South Africa, Egypt, Brazil, and Mexico. The team was coached by four men born in Scotland, England, Trinidad, and Canada respectively. That makes for thirteen countries represented in a total squad of 20 coaches and players. Pretty remarkable when you come to think of it. Nations united at a proudly, and uniquely Canadian school.

Honour and Remembrance

It was a great honour to have been invited by the family of student Andrew Robichaud to participate in his commendation ceremony by the Canadian Department of Veterans Affairs. While the ceremony took place in London, Ontario this summer, it is only fitting that this blog be posted now.

As a grade 8 student at my school (Ridley College), Andrew was asked to create a meaningful Heritage Fair project that had real-life applications. He decided to do his work on that of a family member- the late Hon. Daniel J. MacDonald- Canadian WWII veteran, Member of Parliament, and Cabinet minister for Veterans Affairs.

His work became more than just a school assignment with a personal connection. It became a journey that continues to the present day, and will undoubtedly continue well into the future. The professional quality of his work can be viewed at: http://www.steppingstone.ca/oh-danny-boy-on-the-life-of-hon-daniel-j-macdonald/.

More importantly, Andrew gained a deeper appreciation for the sacrifice made by his late-uncle and the sacrifices made by all veterans of conflict. His work took him back to his maritime roots and the video that he created for the project gained national, if not international recognition. Andrew took part in a school trip to Vimy, France and continues to present his work and the remarkable story of Daniel J. MacDonald to veterans groups all over.

He made his school proud, his family proud, and his country proud through his efforts. For that he was honored by the Hon. Steven Blaney with the Veterans Affairs Commendation for Ontario in 2012.

Time Flies

Tempus fugit- time flies. Sometimes the truisms that we come across in life are right on the money. I had been on a steady writing program with my blogs, aiming to keep up the (at least) monthly pace on writing about the things that most interest me. Then late summer hit, and it was hard to get motivated despite the time that I had, theoretically, to write. Some technical glitches occurred at the start of the school year- I find it very difficult to blog using an iPad- and before you know it, it is already mid-autumn and nary a word has been written for my blog.

One of the key things I wanted to share involved the work that I did with a good friend on the building of a fence. I even had the title picked out: "good neighbors make good fences." Calling my part in the proceeding work, is a bit misleading. I handed the nails, planks, screws, and other equipment to my friend Geoff and his son, Zack, and they did all of the work from there.

The Doppenberg family (http://ritadoppenberg.com/) is a unique one. As a family they moved their entire unit- mom, dad, three school-aged boys- to Guatemala for half of a year to interact with needy locals and to assist a group of nuns in the running of a hospital for infants. True to their family values, the work they do there is more practical than missionary, with a heavy emphasis on work. By all accounts they make this work enjoyable, collaborative, and meaningful. The testimony of those who have helped them in this journey says as much. For more information you can check it out for yourself.

My fence got built, and in return I supported their cause in Guatemala, helping them build bridges between those of us who have so much, and those less fortunate who have so little. I had hoped to shed light on their work earlier as they are embarking upon a return to Guatemala this month. They will be supported by many friends and acquaintances who seek to make a difference in the world around them.

I wish them all Godspeed and will miss their friendship and companionship in the coming months. I also know that time does indeed fly, and that it won't be long before they return to tell us all about the rewards and challenges of living and working in an international setting, far removed from the comforts of home.