Hamilton

HWDSB survey offers students chance to discuss what bullying looks like during COVID-19

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has opened up an 87-question survey for students about bullying in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Half of students will answer questions about bullying before COVID-19, while the others will describe it now

Looking distraught, a young girl sits crosslegged on the floor in a darkened room with her head in her hands, peering at an opened laptop facing her.
Hamilton's public school board will host a survey to reveal how bullying has occurred during COVID-19. (Sam Wordley/Shutterstock)

Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board has opened up an 87-question survey for students about bullying in schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Half of those who do the survey will answer questions about what bullying looked like before the pandemic, while the other half will speak to how it unfolds now.

The form takes roughly 30 minutes to complete and there will be surveys available for staff and parents soon.

The survey is part of the board's Safe Schools: Bullying Prevention and Intervention Review Panel, which saw 17 sessions take place.

The final two sessions occurred online because of the pandemic.

COVID-19 has delayed the process set up to examine how the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) handles bullying following the death of Devan Selvey, a teen who was stabbed to death behind Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School on Oct. 7.

A final report will be submitted and shared with the board of trustees no later than Dec. 16.


Attention parents, students and teachers: We want to hear from you!

We hope you'll use this form to tell us about school conditions, how classes are going or whatever other pressing issues are on your mind this September in Hamilton, Niagara, St. Catharines and Burlington.

With files from Dan Taekema