By Wendy Singer
Montreal, April 9, 2026- The second annual Violence
and Bullying Prevention in Schools Week took place from March 23 to 27. An
initiative of the Quebec Ministry of Education, the week aims to foster safe,
respectful, and inclusive school environments while raising awareness among
students, staff, and parents about preventing bullying and cyberbullying.
Under the direction of
Assistant Director of Student Services Gail Callender, the EMSB’s School Climate
team of Victoria Della Cioppa, Louis Kolovos, and Rekeem Sutton, organized a series
of impactful events over the week that engaged participants at every level.
On Tuesday, March 24, the
EMSB Student Services department welcomed Dr. Dewey Cornell, who led a
specialized training session on Comprehensive Behaviour Threat Assessment to
approximately 60 staff members from 10 pilot schools. This evidence-based
approach supports school teams in assessing and responding to student threats
in a balanced and thoughtful way, helping staff respond proportionately and
proactively. “By enhancing our understanding and response to student behaviour,
we are creating safer and more caring school communities centered on student
well-being,” said Sutton.
On Wednesday, a Community Care Fair was held at James Lyng
High School in collaboration with Student Services. In the morning,
approximately 160 James Lyng students, along with Outreach High School
students, participated in interactive activities designed to promote mental,
emotional, and social well-being through art, movement, and workshops. Student
representatives from EMSB West-End high schools, accompanied by staff, joined
the program in the afternoon, further strengthening connections across schools
and reinforcing the importance of community in supporting student well-being.
On Thursday, Westmount Park Elementary School hosted a livestream with Svens Telemaque, who spoke about the importance
of fostering a positive school climate and how each
individual can make a difference. His message underscored a central
theme of the week: every voice and every action counts. Grades 3 to
6 students attended the live-stream together in the school’s auditorium, with
approximately 10 other classrooms logging-on to participate. The livestream and
sound were seamlessly produced thanks to Leonard Media.
The week
concluded on March 27 with a youth photo exhibition hosted by the EMSB in
collaboration with LOVE Quebec, led by Executive Director Robyn Dalton and her
team, and with the support of Inspirations.The exhibition, titled The Art of Noticing, invited guests to explore how
young artists use photography as a tool of awareness, and an act of care.
The event brought together approximately 30 EMSB students who participated in
LOVE’s programs, along with their parents, teachers, educators, EMSB staff, and
LOVE stakeholders and supporters. “Together, we celebrated the creativity,
reflection, and voice of these young artists through their photographs and
written works,” said Kolovos.Guests were invited to mingle among the photographs
while enjoying pizza, cake, and cookies thanks to Les Délices Lafrenaie
Westminster, along with refreshments. The food created a warm and welcoming
atmosphere, making it even more special for guests to gather, connect, and
share in the experience.
Judges
Emine Arslan Avci and Alena Hamlet, both webmasters, and Nicolas Doyon, Arts
Education consultant, all at the EMSB, selected six standout student works,
which received special recognition. Their thoughtful feedback highlighted the depth,
creativity, and emotional resonance of the photos.
The
Art of Noticing was a celebration of what young
people can accomplish when they are given the tools to express themselves and
the space to share their perspective on the world.
As a bonus, on March 30,
Rosemount High School, alongside Student Services and the East Island
Network for English Language Services (REISA), hosted the East End Well-being
Fair, further extending the week’s impact and commitment to nurturing safe,
compassionate learning environments for all. The fair’s mandate
was to increase the coping strategies of student participants.
“Together, these
initiatives reflected the EMSB’s strong commitment to fostering safe and
supportive school communities,” said Della Cioppa. “Violence and Bullying
Prevention in Schools Week was not only a series of events, but also a
continued promise to ensure every
student feels valued, heard and protected.”
“This week was another
opportunity to celebrate our students and showcase tools that can be used to
support their well- being," said Callender.
