Schools Promote Stand Up Against Bullying Day

Students and teachers from across the province are standing up against bullying.

The province and its education partners recognize the first Thursday in September as Stand Up Against Bullying Day to promote the importance of healthy, safe and positive learning environments for students and educators.

Schools will be hosting a variety of activities Thursday, Sept. 8, including discussions, contests, assemblies and role playing.

"Bullying is a serious problem in our schools and communities," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "Stand Up Against Bullying Day is a chance for schools to raise awareness about the effects bullying can have on young people.

"I am happy to see heightened awareness along with so many anti-bullying initiatives taking place, including the great work of the Cyberbullying Task Force."

The Cyberbullying Task Force and Working Group have been meeting since June to address the issue of online bullying and are conducting a survey to generate ideas from the public.

"It's obvious that students want to do something about bullying and cyberbullying," said Wayne MacKay, Cyberbullying Task Force chair. "The task force has received a tremendous amount of support from students, teachers, parents and people from communities all over the province.

"We have also received support on a free basis from experts within and outside the country and the Task Force has engaged in important dialogue about the extent of the problem and possible effective responses."

The next Cyberbullying Task Force and Working Group meetings will be open to the public on Sept. 12 and 13 from 9 a.m. to noon at Empire Theatres Park Lane location, cinema 4, in Halifax. Details are posted at cyberbullying.novascotia.ca. Videos of the presentations will also be posted on the website after the meeting. Nova Scotians can comment on the presentations on the task force's Facebook page.

"If you do nothing else on Stand Up Against Bullying Day, please fill out the survey at cyberbullying.novascotia.ca and help the task force find solutions to deal with this problem," said Mr. MacKay.

The survey closes on Sept. 30.