Creating a safe, respectful, and connected community starts with shared expectations. The Airdrie Way is an initiative from the Building Safer Communities Project that was developed in collaboration with youth-serving organizations and City of Airdrie staff who engage with children and youth. 

The City does not play a direct role in addressing bullying behaviours, however, together we aim to better understand what proactive steps we can take as parents, caregivers, and community members to help foster safer, more supportive environments where every young person feels seen, heard, and protected.

The Airdrie Way builds a foundation that helps parents, educators, and community members work together to make Airdrie a place where everyone feels respected and supported.

The Airdrie Way handout (PDF)

Key Concepts in Bullying Prevention

The video will explore:

• Prevention: Understanding what bullying is and how it differs from conflict or teasing.
• The Role of the Bystander: Empowering youth and adults to safely intervene and support their peers.
• Youth Strategies: Teaching children how to stand up for themselves and others respectfully.
• Adult Interventions: How caring adults can guide, respond, and model.

• The Airdrie Way in action:
• Creating a culture and expectation of respect across our community and all shared spaces.
• Defining and recognizing disrespectful or unkind behaviour.
• Removing the reinforcer's that maintain bullying or socially aggressive actions.
• Empowering bystanders to take positive, safe action that changes the tone of any situation.

At home: The Airdrie Way 

The values that make Airdrie a strong, connected community don’t stop at the doors of our schools and recreation centres, they begin at home. The Airdrie Way in the home helps parents and caregivers bring our community’s shared expectations for respectful, responsible, and safe behaviour into everyday family life.

The video will explore:

• Expectations: Creating clear and consistent expectations that reflect The Airdrie Way.
• Lead: Teaching those expectations through positive examples and family routines.
• Acknowledge: Celebrating and acknowledge your children’s efforts and successes.
• Accountability: Holding kids accountable in ways that build trust, confidence, and responsibility.