Pictou County principal turns to YouTube to address school violence

Matt O'Toole, the principal of Northumberland Regional School School, is turning to YouTube to address the issue of fighting at his school.

A principal in Nova Scotia’s Pictou County is turning to YouTube to address the issue of fighting at his school.

Since September, two fights have sent two Northumberland Regional High School students to hospital. Three students were arrested after the latest incident.

Schools officials prepared a note to send home to parents to address growing concerns about violence at the school in Alma, N.S. But Principal Matt O’Toole thought a YouTube video might better engage his students and their parents.

“When we read the letter, we didn’t think it conveyed the message that we wanted to get out to the school community,” says O’Toole.

The video shows O’Toole reading the letter, assuring parents and students that the school is working to keep students safe. But then he goes off script, reminding students about their role in helping to end violence at NRHS.

“Whether it be something that you see take place at school or online, please don’t sit on it, communicate,” he says in the video.

The video has been viewed more than 3,110 times since it was posted Nov. 4.

“I’d be lucky if 40 newsletters get home, so 3,000 people is a pretty good audience to have heard that message,” says O’Toole.

He says there has been a show of support for the video and, more importantly, for the message it conveys.

“Everything’s so viral nowadays, and, on like Facebook and stuff, so I think it’s a good way to approach students,” says student Molly Bryden.

“They have to do something, I mean, it’s very clear that there’s something, you know, just not right,” says grandparent Donna Cock.

O’Toole says he can’t promise there won’t be further incidents at the school, but when they do happen, he says staff will respond strongly and work to create the safest possible environment for everyone.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh