If you see a bus or movie throughout the region, take a closer look – you’ll notice impressive bullying prevention campaigns designed by Halton District School Board students.

Last fall, a collaborative partnership to address bullying prevention was struck between the Halton District School Board, Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Region and Halton Catholic District School Board. At that time, high school students were challenged to develop messages and calls to action on the issue of bullying prevention. 
 
In May of this year, participants were invited to a gala where all of the submissions were unveiled and four winners announced, all from Halton District School Board schools. At the time, students were told the winning submissions would form part of an ongoing campaign to reduce bullying.  That has now taken shape.
 
The winning Lester B. Pearson High School poster, entitled “Words Can Hurt But They Also Can Heal” recently began appearing as an advertisement on buses in Oakville, Milton and Burlington. The poster depicts a young girl from a crouched position in several snapshots from left to right, showing her evolution to a standing position and finally a leap of triumph. The words written below her start as oppressive and cruel and then change to those of acceptance and encouragement. It illustrates the profound impact words can have on one’s psyche.

But the exceptional work of Halton District School Board students doesn’t stop there.

The fourth-place Give Respect – Get Respect winning entry is a video from Milton District High School. It formed part of pre-show movie screenings at the Galaxy Cineplex theatre in Milton. The video talks about the evolving forms of bullying, increased awareness and a call to youth to take action to stop bullying. Encore Theatres in Burlington and Oakville will also air the video from December 26 through January 2, 2012.
 
The 2012 Give Respect Get Respect Join the Movement program will focus on the power of students to create a respectful positive environment to prevent bullying. The challenge has been extended to include Grades 6-12 Halton students.

For more information on the program, click here.