A student forum on bullying and what can be done about it was held at South Delta Secondary Wednesday.
Called Student Voice, the day-long event organized by SDSS students was an opportunity for kids from several Delta elementary and high schools to get together and raise points that will be presented at an upcoming provincial conference.
"We're using this forum strategically after Anti-Bullying Week as a follow-up because we thought that Anti-Bullying Week happens once a year, and everyone is all hyped up about it, but then it kind of disappears. We want to find how we can keep it going throughout the year," said SDSS Grade 12 student Andrea Strusievici, one of four moderators.
The ideas gathered will be correlated into a report and presentation at next month's B.C. Student Voice, a conference supported by the B.C. Principals and Vice-Principals Association.
Students across the province gather twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring) to discuss topics that affect the student body, brainstorming on how to resolve those issues. Last year, it was student happiness. This year, they're discussing bullying.
After the first meeting in the fall, the students broke up into their school districts to host smaller forums to reach more student voices. They'll bring the information back to the provincial conference in the spring.
The discussion questions at Wednesday's SDSS gathering included what parents don't understand about bullying and what the students would like to take back and change about a situation involving bullying. Also discussed was how can people continue the anti-bullying movement past Anti-Bullying Day/Week.
Strusievici said the ideas presented were impressive and powerful.
"I'm so proud to see all these kids come and talk about their personal experiences and they're so willing to make a change," she said.
Several of the students during the discussion noted the importance of telling someone if bullying is occurring, as well encouraging and giving confidence to those who are victimized.
"I think the biggest thing raised here is to make the issue obvious and give the kids an option of what to do if they need help, and try to figure out what the issue really is so that we can stop it," added Strusievici
The event also included time for the students to come up with artwork around the bullying theme.
On hand to see the proceedings was trustee Val Windsor, who said she was impressed with the quality of discussion and ideas as well as the leadership of the student organizers.
