Safe and Caring Schools
Parents
Parents have the greatest influence in the lives of their children. Collaboration among home, school and community is imperative. The connection between students and the multiple systems that surround them, including parents/family, school, and community strengthens opportunities to build a foundation of caring that will support the problem-solving process when issues are identified, or incidents occur.
If your child is having difficulty feeling safe and connected at school, it is important that you communicate and collaborate with the school team to resolve the issue promptly. Solutions are identified and safety is restored when we look through a lens of strengths and possibilities.
The recommended communication protocol with the school involves the following:
- Listen to your child to determine the issue’s severity and identify his/her needs.
- Contact your child’s teacher and/or school counsellor to seek solutions. Ask how you can be a part of the solution. The teacher or counsellor may report to and involve the principal if the incident warrants.
- If the issue is not resolved, contact your school principal to discuss the concerns.
- Together collaborate to problem-solve and seek a positive resolution. It may be helpful to ask the school principal if there are divisional or community resources that could assist in a resolution.
- If a resolution is still not found, or you are dissatisfied with the school response, contact your school division’s Superintendent to explain your experience and request a resolution.
- If the problem still has not been resolved, contact the Board of Trustees of your school division. Your elected school trustees can assist you with this process.
Related Parent Links: For more information about preventing or responding to bullying behaviours experienced by your child or initiated by your child here is a sample of links.
Manitoba
- Manitoba Healthy Schools Initiative – Initiative in Manitoba promotes the health and wellness of students, their families, school staff, and school communities.
- Manitoba Parent Zone – provides resources and information for Manitoba parents.
Others
- Respect in School – an online bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination prevention training tool, developed for school staff and any individuals who interact with students such as parent volunteers.
- The Canadian Safe School Network: Resources for Parents – link provides information for parents to help deal with bullying and other issues.
- Media Smarts: Canada’s Centre for Digital and Media Literacy, Parent Link
- PREVNET: Promoting Relationships & Eliminating Violence Network –anational research hub with resources for parents on topics related to safety and healthy relationships.
- Lives in the Balance: Parents & Families – parents and families are provided with a guided tour and introduction to a model of problem solving that is collaborative and proactive.
- The MEHRIT Centre: Self-Reg for Parents – a collection of resources for parents.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP): Cybersafety – information and links on various topics related to online and personal safety.
- Kids in the Know: Parents – a program of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Helping families. Protecting children).
For more information contact:
General Enquiries
Inclusion Support Branch
Education and Early Childhood Learning
Telephone: 204-945-7912
Toll Free in Manitoba: 1-800-282-8069, ext. 7912
Email: isbinfo@gov.mb.ca
