TFS - Canada's International School

Parents' Handbook 2019 – 2020 35 a high degree of personal and social responsibility in their actions and behaviours. TFS believes that a healthy, safe and inclusive learning environment, where all students feel accepted, is a necessary condition for student success. TFS understands that students cannot be expected to reach their full potential in an environment where they feel insecure or intimidated. TFS recognizes that a whole-school approach is required, and that everyone – educators, school staff, parents, students and the wider community – has a role to play in creating a positive school climate and preventing inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, sexual assault, gender-based violence and incidents. The school acknowledges that an open and ongoing dialogue among the administration, staff, parents and students is an important component in creating a positive school climate in which everyone feels safe and respected. Policy Components TFS recognizes that bullying: - adversely affects students' ability to learn; - adversely affects the school climate, including healthy relationships; - adversely affects a school's ability to educate its students; - will not be accepted on school property, at school- related activities, on school buses, or in any other circumstances (e.g. online) where engaging in bullying will have a negative impact on the school climate. Bullying is a dynamic of unhealthy interactions that can take many forms. It can be physical (e.g. hitting, pushing, tripping), verbal (e.g. name calling, mocking, or making sexist, racist or homophobic comments), or social (e.g. excluding others from a group, spreading gossip or rumours). It may also occur through the use of technology (e.g. spreading rumours, images or hurtful comments through the use of email, cell phones, text messaging, an Internet website or other technology). Prevention, Intervention and Support Strategies Prevention TFS employees who work directly with students – including administrators, teachers and non-teaching staff – must respond to any student behaviour that is likely to have a negative impact on the school climate. Such behaviour includes all inappropriate and disrespectful behaviour, including bullying, at any time at TFS and at any school-related event if, in the employee's opinion, it is safe to respond to the behaviour. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated at TFS. Reports of circumstances or actions that represent bullying or may constitute bullying will be addressed in an age-appropriate manner in accordance with the circumstances of each individual case. All students are encouraged to report any incidences of bullying, physical aggression, intimidation or threats or suspected incidents to a staff member immediately. The staff member will be responsible for ensuring that TFS' procedures are followed. TFS will put in place procedures to allow students to report bullying incidents safely and in a way that will minimize the possibility of reprisal. TFS will provide programs, intervention and other supports for students who have been bullied, students who have witnessed incidents of bullying, and students who have engaged in bullying. Teaching and Training Strategies TFS will develop teaching strategies that support school- wide bullying prevention policies. These strategies will focus on developing healthy relationships, by including bullying prevention and highlighting equity and inclusive education principles in daily classroom teaching and school activities.

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