First, thank you. Nearly 2,000 people have publicly stood behind the idea that students deserve to feel safe at school and that concerns about bullying need to be taken seriously.
We have received Brandon School Division’s response. While we appreciate their willingness to meet with us, we are disappointed that we do not feel the response fully addresses the concerns being raised by families across the Division.
The Division states that there has been “inaccurate information being circulated through public and social media channels.” We found that statement difficult to understand given that, in addition to what has been shared publicly, a number of parents have told us their children came home that day talking about what they had witnessed. We recognize that people may have different perspectives on what occurred, but this is one of the reasons we believe it is important that concerns be taken seriously rather than dismissed broadly.
The Division also expressed concern about conversations taking place on social media. The reality is that social media has been the only place where parents from different schools have been able to connect, realize they are not alone, and share experiences that may otherwise have remained isolated. While social media is far from perfect, it has given families a voice and has helped uncover what appears to be a much broader conversation happening across Brandon School Division.
BSD also referenced their Safe School Advisory Committees. Since receiving that response, we have tried to learn more about these committees. We were unable to find publicly available meeting minutes for some schools, and many parents we’ve spoken with were unaware these committees even existed. That raises questions about how visible and accessible they are to the broader school community.
We also believe there is value in discussing how these committees are structured. While school staff and parents from the school play an important role, it may also be worth considering the inclusion of parents from outside the school community who can provide an independent perspective and help reduce the potential for perceived bias. These are ideas we hope to discuss—not conclusions, but possible ways to strengthen trust and transparency.
Laura and I have accepted Brandon School Division’s invitation to meet, and we intend to bring forward the concerns that have been shared with us by hundreds of families. We would also like a few additional parents to join us at that meeting to help ensure a variety of experiences and perspectives are represented.
If you are interested in attending the meeting with us, please reach out to either Laura or myself.
Our goal is meaningful, lasting change that improves student safety, accountability, reporting processes, and support for every child across Brandon School Division.
Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared their experiences, and supported this movement. We will continue advocating respectfully, listening to families, and working toward solutions that make our schools safer for all students.