If your child is being bullied, the LABC recommends the following:

We recognize that this is an emotionally charged process.  We ask that you use respectful language in your letters and conversations with school representatives.  Calm, level headed communication achieves the results.

Keep a detailed log of who you spoke to including time, date, name, conversation highlights.  This is imperative.

Use the following guide to contact personnel in order as outlined.  If you reach the last name on this list with no resolution contact us.  There are no skipping steps.  Successful resolution requires working with the established protocols.

TVDSB:

1.       Teacher

2.       Principal

3.       Superintendent (name for your school available from board office or website)

4.       Safe School Superintendent - Barb Sonier 519-452-2000

5.       Contact School Safety Officer

6.       Contact your elected Trustees. Their contact information available on board's website.

LCDSB:

1.       Teacher

2.       Principal

3.       Superintendent (name for your school available form board office or website)

4.       Contact School Safety Officer

5.       Contact your elected Trustees. Their contact information available on board's website.

If you are not within SW Ontario region the proper reporting process can be obtained through your local board.   If you cannot secure this information please contact us.

Private Schools:

The Ministry of Education's jurisdiction does not include Private Schools.

Should you experience bullying in a Private School setting your concerns should be directed to the Board of Governors or the Owner of the school.

Political Action:

All written correspondance should be cc'd to your local MPP's. Our politicians can not assist in resolving issues they are not aware of.

If your child's bullying is due to one of the following reasons:

Gender
Race
Orientation
Religion
Disability/Differently abled

Please contact your Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and request an application. Our schools are bound by the Human Rights Convention and as such must be accountable to that office.

If you have a complaint regarding a teacher or administration of your local school or school board please contact the Ontario Teacher's College to file a complaint.

Boards of Education do not form part of our Ombudsman's portfolio. However, we have recently learned from his office that, for statistical purposes, they will accept a school board complaint and keep record of them in their files, without conducting an investigation. This information is then published in the Ombudsman's Annual Report. His report for 2009-2010 disclosed that there were 110 School Board related complaints received by his office for that time period. If your family is currently having difficulty resolving an on-going issue with your school board, you do have the option of lodging a formal complaint with the office of the Ombudsman, if for no other reason than to be counted. Before we can expand the Ombudsman's power to investigate school board related issues, the umber of recorded complaints needs to increase. You can reach the Ombudsman at 1-800-263-1830.