As the bell rings on a frigid and dry Tuesday morning at Princess Margaret Secondary School, students from all backgrounds merge into groups. The populace is mostly a homogeneous mixture of Caucasians but there are a few Aboriginal, Asian, East Indian, and African Canadians. They head towards their respective classes in a blissful state, ready to learn a new lesson, all the while unaware of bullying present at their school. This institution is located within an arid climate, situated in the town of Penticton, BC about five hours from Vancouver. As this proverbial non-bullying school heads into session, the hallways are empty. However, only moments before, the corridors were filled with students loitering, chatting, and just enjoying the serendipitous atmosphere of the school.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same experience at this center of learning. Jimmy Towns was asked about the matter of bullying responding that "[he doesn't] think that people realize what goes on in this school. People just walk around and look at their friends, nodding to them only noticing a select few. One of [his] buddies doesn't have that luxury." According to Towns, people are indeed being picked on. In this example, a bus ride was described on the way home from school. Towns described the victim as acting nonchalantly to avoid getting attention while his abuser spewed an array of vulgar and offensive comments in hushed tones. This type of bullying is not always evident but verbal bullying can be one of the most hurtful and harmful.
Although there is an absence of concrete evidence towards other forms of bullying, it is apparent in the way that some of the less fortunate students, that don't fall under the popular clique, meekly abscond from some of the larger members of the student populace. "There have been fights. People just beat each other. It can get pretty crazy" reported George Mallard when asked about physical bullying. He stated that he himself had been involved in a few fights and seen the result of such occurrences. Physical bullying is not a big problem at this school but there are a few discrepancies in an otherwise physically safe environment. When surveyed, most students admitted to enjoying a safe environment where teachers are responsible and caring towards the safety of those enrolled at Princess Margaret.
This school is putting a strong emphasis on an anti-bullying policy towards all aspects of segregation and exclusion. Quite recently, an anti-bullying "Pink Day" was conducted at the school. Also, this past semester, a "Be the Change" workshop was held in an effort to create a school with a connected atmosphere and eradicate bullying. Lacy Johnston claimed that "it was a great experience. [The students] really bonded with everybody. People told each other things they had never told anybody before to people they had never even talked to or even acknowledged." Those grade ten and twelve students that attended this workshop are looked upon as forerunners for a series of workshops designed to include the entire school in such an experience.
Unfortunately, on that same survey, people also testified to being a bystander when someone was being harassed. Instead of considering going for help and rectifying the situation, they are satisfied in watching the events take place. Although there are some people who will take a stand, there is a plethora of people who will not and that has been an ongoing problem. In order to solve this predicament, the students need to pledge to themselves that they will take a stand against bullying and not be a bystander. Through various presentations, students have already been made aware of the consequences of such actions. They have only to agree to act on these impulses and not suppress them for fear of embarrassment. They have only to think of what their actions will do in the future. They have only to stand up and help.
Although bullying is a rare event in this school due to the emphasis placed on it, rare instances do occur and as a result students have to make a vow that they will help comrades in distress and stand together to fight this threat.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the same experience at this center of learning. Jimmy Towns was asked about the matter of bullying responding that "[he doesn't] think that people realize what goes on in this school. People just walk around and look at their friends, nodding to them only noticing a select few. One of [his] buddies doesn't have that luxury." According to Towns, people are indeed being picked on. In this example, a bus ride was described on the way home from school. Towns described the victim as acting nonchalantly to avoid getting attention while his abuser spewed an array of vulgar and offensive comments in hushed tones. This type of bullying is not always evident but verbal bullying can be one of the most hurtful and harmful.
Although there is an absence of concrete evidence towards other forms of bullying, it is apparent in the way that some of the less fortunate students, that don't fall under the popular clique, meekly abscond from some of the larger members of the student populace. "There have been fights. People just beat each other. It can get pretty crazy" reported George Mallard when asked about physical bullying. He stated that he himself had been involved in a few fights and seen the result of such occurrences. Physical bullying is not a big problem at this school but there are a few discrepancies in an otherwise physically safe environment. When surveyed, most students admitted to enjoying a safe environment where teachers are responsible and caring towards the safety of those enrolled at Princess Margaret.
This school is putting a strong emphasis on an anti-bullying policy towards all aspects of segregation and exclusion. Quite recently, an anti-bullying "Pink Day" was conducted at the school. Also, this past semester, a "Be the Change" workshop was held in an effort to create a school with a connected atmosphere and eradicate bullying. Lacy Johnston claimed that "it was a great experience. [The students] really bonded with everybody. People told each other things they had never told anybody before to people they had never even talked to or even acknowledged." Those grade ten and twelve students that attended this workshop are looked upon as forerunners for a series of workshops designed to include the entire school in such an experience.
Unfortunately, on that same survey, people also testified to being a bystander when someone was being harassed. Instead of considering going for help and rectifying the situation, they are satisfied in watching the events take place. Although there are some people who will take a stand, there is a plethora of people who will not and that has been an ongoing problem. In order to solve this predicament, the students need to pledge to themselves that they will take a stand against bullying and not be a bystander. Through various presentations, students have already been made aware of the consequences of such actions. They have only to agree to act on these impulses and not suppress them for fear of embarrassment. They have only to think of what their actions will do in the future. They have only to stand up and help.
Although bullying is a rare event in this school due to the emphasis placed on it, rare instances do occur and as a result students have to make a vow that they will help comrades in distress and stand together to fight this threat.
Dusk is imminent as the lion stalks its prey. A wildebeest stands in the long grass of the Savannah. As the lion approaches the wildebeest, it sees something strange. From the distance, more wildebeests trot towards their compatriot. The group of wildebeests huddle together eyeing the lion cautiously. The lion tries to frighten the group by feigning an attack in order to separate the herd but to no avail. The wildebeests stay together and the lion turns its back towards the herd, retreating into the African sunset.
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