Mount Saint Agnes Academy is so concerned about bullying, that they are taking four days to address the issue. The school family is keen to provide a safe and healthful environment for all their students, and so two separate, but similar programmes, run by an organisation called "Dare to Care", will provide students, staff and parents with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of why people bully, intimidate and harass, and what can be done to stop the cycle.

On Monday November 16, "Dare to Care" will be offered to students from Kindergarten to Grade 5 and Grade 12. The day-long series of activities goes beyond the bully and victim to the wider community of peers, faculty and parents. According to the school's press release: "This comprehensive approach creates a common language which allows for more consistent intervention and follow-through when dealing with challenging issues….Through this pro-active approach, many incidents are reduced before they become a real issue."

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Grades 6 through 11 will "Take the T.I.M.E." This programme is a combination of assembly-style presentations, small group activities, games and larger group discussion designed to enable students to understand the damage bullying, cliques, peer pressure, racism and oppression can cause in individuals and communities. There is opportunity during the day-long programme for students to talk about their fears and why they remain silent in bullying situations. They will be made aware of just how much power they do have to make a difference in the atmosphere at their school and create the school of their dreams.

In addition a parent/teacher information session, which is open to the general public, will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at 5.30pm in the MSA auditorium. For more information, contact Margaret DiGiacomo at 292-4134.