In the wake of the recent suicide of BC cyber-bullying victim Amanda Todd, Gabriola parents “have expressed an interest in learning more about the subject”.

So “parents are welcome to attend” a November presentation for Gabriola Elementary School (GES) students about cyber-bullying, said Principal Eileen Jubinville, in a Monday email.

While Jubinville said that she hasn’t seen a rise in cyber-bullying at GES, the school is working to create a community of students and parents that are aware of cyber-bullying. She said they have “booked a cyber-bullying presentation with our Safe Schools Coordinator for our students and are looking to book a Parent Advisory Council (PAC) presentation”.

An empathy-building program called “Roots of Empathy” is already used by GES, Jubinville said, “and the Nanaimo District Senior Secondary Empathy Youth Team is coming for a presentation for our senior students in November”.

“The school has a role to play in any incidents that involve our students,” Jubinville said.  “We work with the parents, the community,  and the police.”