Minister to Join Beachy Cove Elementary Students in Campaign to Eliminate Bullying and Harassment

This is Violence Awareness Week in schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, and to mark the occasion, the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Education, will join students at Beachy Cove Elementary tomorrow (Tuesday, February 28) for their “Stop That” anti-violence campaign. Minister Jackman will be joined by David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East - Bell Island. The event begins at 9 a.m.

“Young people are increasingly aware of how bullying and harassment can truly hurt an individual, and they are becoming much more outspoken on this issue,” said Minister Jackman. “The theme for Violence Awareness Week is Find Your Voice, Not Violence, and we hope that students, and entire school communities, will be reminded to speak out against all forms of violence, harassment and ridicule – wherever and whenever it occurs.”

As part of its commitment to the Provincial Government’s Violence Prevention Initiative, the Department of Education introduced a Safe and Caring Schools Policy in 2006. This initiative has resulted in the development of curriculum and programming aimed at early intervention and education on violence prevention, and in developing safe and caring learning environments in our schools. An independent review of the Safe and Caring Schools Policy will be completed this spring, to be followed by an action plan to strengthen and support schools in their efforts to eradicate all forms of bullying.

“Violence Awareness Week in schools is one of several initiatives being undertaken to complement Violence Prevention Month, which was proclaimed on February 6,” said the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women and lead Minister for the Violence Prevention Initiative. “If we can continue to reach out to youth and raise awareness that violence is unacceptable, we can help break the cycle of violence in our province.”

This year, the Department of Education allocated $230,000 to support Safe and Caring Schools programs designed to prevent violence and bullying, including $130,000 provided through the Violence Prevention Initiative.

For more information on the Provincial Government’s Safe and Caring Schools initiative, go to www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/safeandcaring/index.html.

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2012 02 27                              1:50 p.m.