What Is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself. Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, verbal harassment, spreading false rumors, not letting someone be part of the group, and sending nasty messages on a cell phone or over the Internet.
What Is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program? The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) prevents or reduces bullying in schools. OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at the school-wide, classroom, individual and community levels. View more information about Olweus here.
Below is what happens at each level.
School-wide:
- Teachers and staff are trained to use the program and deal with bullying problems.
- A school-wide kindness committee will oversee the program and work to include positive behavioral supports and interventions.
- Students will complete the Olweus questionnaire to provide information about the amount and type of bullying at our schools.
- All students will follow these four anti-bullying rules:
- We will not bully others.
- We will help students who are bullied.
- We will include students who are left out.
- If we know that somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
- Staff will make sure that all areas of our school where bullying is likely to occur are being watched.
- There may be school-wide parent meetings and parent and student events.
In the Classroom:
- The four anti-bullying rules will be taught in all classrooms.
- Class meetings will be held where students talk about what bullying is. Students will learn why bullying should not happen. They will also learn to ask an adult for help if they see or experience bullying.
- Teachers will use positive and negative consequences for following and not following the four anti-bullying rules.
- Teachers will work to make the classroom a positive place for students.
For individuals who bully or are bullied:
- Teachers and other staff will be trained to deal with bullying situations and the students involved.
- Students who bully others will be given consequences as soon as possible.
- Students who are bullied will be supported by staff. They will be told what action will be taken to end the bullying.
- Teachers and other staff will meet with the parents of students who bully and students who are bullied.
Information from the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program parent pamphlet, provided by the Hazelden Foundation.