Director of Education launches Anti-Bullying Task Force
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 – Thames Valley Education Director Bill Tucker is launching a special Task Force to bring together key members of the community to tackle the complex issue of bullying.
“We believe we’ve made some important strides against bullying in our schools, but we need to take this to the next level,” says Tucker. “With the rise of the Internet, bullying is taking place 24-7 and we need the community’s help to teach our children that bullying is wrong and very hurtful.
“Bullying isn’t just a school-based issue. It’s an issue facing our community,” Tucker adds. “We can not successfully tackle the issue of bullying in our schools unless we recognize that we all have a responsibility.”
The Director’s Anti-Bullying Community Task Force will invite representatives from leading agencies and institutions to join the effort to create community-based strategies.
Among those agreeing to take part are London Police Service, St. Thomas Police Service, Middlesex-London Health Unit, Children’s Aid Society, Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System, and the Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee. Students, Trustees, members of the media and anti-bullying groups are also invited to be a part of this community initiative.
“This is very timely and we agree bullying is a problem that everyone has to address,” says Dr. Linda Baker of the Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System, who adds she’s honoured to be part of the Director’s Task Force.
Trustee Peter Jaffe, a Professor of Education at the University of Western Ontario is an expert in the field and will also sit on the Director’s Task Force.
“Bullying and children’s mental health issues are two sides of a coin,” observes Jaffe. “We have to work together to understand the cause and consequences of bullying.”
While the school Board is offering more programs than ever before to educate and sensitize students and staff to issues of bullying, homophobia, racism and violence, Tucker says it’s now time to enhance our efforts and find ways to work together to address this problem.
Members of the “Director’s Community Task Force on Anti-Bullying”
Tony Bandel – St Thomas Anti-bullying Coalition
Dr. Linda Baker - Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System
Barrie Evans - Psychological Services Thames Valley District School Board
Chief Murray Faulkner – London Police Service
Jane Fitzgerald – Executive Director, Middlesex-London Children’s Aid Society
Trustee Peter Jaffe – Director of Centre for Children & Families in the Justice System
Arlene Morell – Chair, Thames Valley Parent Involvement Committee
Corina Morrison – London Anti-bullying Coalition
Rod Potgieter – St. Thomas Family & Children’s Services
Graham Pollett – Middlesex London Medical Officer of Health
