Theatre Orangeville will offer a public performance of Night Light by John Lazarus as part of studentfocused programming that discusses bullying and similar issues.

Artistic Director David Nairn says he is committed to providing shows for students during the school year to create a dialogue for students about their own experiences.

"We have a lot of programming that isn't open to the general public - matinees for students during the school year that are focused on things that kids may be experiencing."

Night Light, intended for an audience of kindergarten to Grade 4, is a play about a monster in a dresser but also deals with the topic of bullying and Mr. Nairn believes the message in the play is suitable for all ages.

"It's a good way to open the dialogue about bullying with students," Mr. Nairn says.

Theatre Orangeville decided to offer the public performance this Sunday, Feb. 4, because parents requested it after hearing about it from their children.

Bullying in Dufferin schools is taken seriously by the Upper Grand District School Board and is part of its anti-harassment policy.

Board Chair Bob Borden, trustee for Orangeville, says that under the provinces Safe Schools Act there is zero tolerance for bad behaviour, including bullying. Every Upper Grand school has an anti-bullying policy and is active in promoting the anti-bullying message.

"It's not dissimilar to other school rules," Mr. Borden said. "There is disciplinary action against students who bully."

Mr. Borden says he doesn't get a sense that Dufferin schools are any worse than other schools in the board's jurisdiction.

"Staff in the school deal with each case individually and follow the harassment policy guidelines," he says. "It could result in suspension or expulsions."

He feels school isn't the only place bullying occurs, because students who bully often wait until they are off of school property. He suggests it may be a way for the bully to get around the school policy and it then becomes a community and police concern.

Scott Davis, spokesperson for the Orangeville Police Service, agrees that school isn't the only place where bullying can happen.

"Bullying is not just a school problem, it's really a community problem," he said. "It can happen anywhere and we are even seeing incidents of bullying happen on the Internet."

Const. Davis also says there is no age limit to who can become a bully's target. "Even adults can be bullied. It happens in the workplace."

Bullying can lead to many problems for its victims, including becoming isolated, and can even lead to suicides.

According to a provincial survey in 2003 of Grade 7 to 12 students, which was conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, one in three students reported being bullied at school. Bullying was defined as including verbal, physical and social forms in varying degrees.

"Communication and education is key to preventing bullying," said Const. Davis. "Everyone plays a role - the school, police and the community - and there is help for those who are being bullied."