Helping students learn how to create positive connections
This fall, the English Montreal School Board’s School Climate and Violence Prevention team is putting an increased emphasis on student well-being, positive school climate, the prevention of bullying and establishing healthy peer connections.
Visits to both elementary and secondary schools were arranged with the goal of engaging students and staff in meaningful conversations about anti-bullying practices and the importance of fostering a safe and respectful school environment. At each level, sessions focus on helping students understand what healthy friendships and positive peer interactions look like, while also teaching them how to recognize and appropriately report bullying behaviour. These preventative workshops align directly with the mandate of the Ministry of Education’s “Act to Prevent and Stop Bullying and Violence in Schools.”
Work in the digital sphere has been extended, addressing the growing concerns of cyberbullying, online interactions and mental health. Students are given presentations encouraging them to reflect on how they engage with one another on social media and other online platforms, highlighting both risks and opportunities for positive connection. The goal is not only to prevent cyberbullying and reduce harm but also to equip students with practical strategies for fostering supportive, safe and respectful online interactions. Mental health awareness is woven into these conversations, underscoring the link between emotional well-being and digital activity.
Students have also been engaged through music and community partnerships. Music initiatives, in collaboration with the School of Music Canada, offer students positive, creative activities where they can express themselves and build supportive peer connections. These programs foster social-emotional growth while offering meaningful, positive alternatives to strengthen school engagement and connection.
In addition, another initiative has been launched to invite community organizations to share their services and supports related to mental health and well-being during a school’s parent-teacher curriculum night. The goal is to increase parents’ awareness of the wide range of resources available to them and their families. Key partners in this initiative include Aire Ouverte, Centre Jeunesse Emploi, Strengthening Families and la Direction régionale de la santé publique de Montréal. By bringing these groups into the school setting, families and students gain direct access to valuable services that might otherwise feel distant or difficult to reach. This collaboration not only connects parents with vital supports but also strengthens the bridge between school and community, creating a more holistic and supportive environment for students’ growth and well-being.
Rekeem Sutton and Louis Kolovos are project development officers with the School Climate and Violence Prevention department at the English Montreal School Board.
