Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Overview

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is the most researched and best-known bullying prevention program available in the United States. The program was developed in the 1970's by Dr. Dan Olweus in Norway. Since that time, it has been implemented in schools all over the world. Schools and communities who have implemented the program have reported a reduction in bullying behaviors of 20-70%. These schools have reported improvements with order and discipline, social relationships, and attitudes toward school and schoolwork.
Key components of the program include Anti-Bullying School Rules, an Anti- Bullying Pledge, Firm Limits for Unacceptable Behavior, Consistent Use of Nonphysical Negative Consequences When Rules Are Broken, Weekly Classroom Meetings, a Core Team of School Personnel Responsible For Implementing The Program, and Parent & Community Involvement.

Class Meetings

An important component of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is weekly class meetings. These class meetings help students to understand the anti-bullying rules and how those rules play out in their daily school lives. Discussions, role-plays, journaling, and self-reflection are some of the possible activities included in classroom meetings. Meetings are held in each classroom one time per week for 15-30 minutes. Through meetings, students learn about themselves and their feelings and reactions, as well as those of their peers. In addition, meetings build a sense of community within the classroom and allow teachers to learn more about the classroom culture, relationships among classmates, and possible bullying tendencies.

Cyber-Bullying

As technology advances and becomes more easily available, the incidence of cyber-bullying continues to rise as well. The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program provides suggestions for parents to help prevent cyber-bullying.

• Keep your home computer in an easily viewable place such as a family room or kitchen.
• Talk to your child about cyber-bullying and encourage him or her to tell you immediately if he or she is a victim of cyber-bullying.
• Encourage you child to tell you if he or she is aware of others who may be victim of cyber-bullying.
• Explain the cyber-bullying is harmful and unacceptable. Outline your expectations for on-line behavior.
• Tell your child that you may review his or her on-line communication if you think there is reason for concern.
• Consider installing parental control filtering software.

Parent Involvement

How can parents get involved in the Olweus program?

• Attend classroom parent meetings.
• Attend schoolwide parent meetings and parent teacher organization meetings.
• Talk with your child about bullying; Reinforce the anti-bullying rules and find out if your child is experiencing problems with bullying.
• Communicate regularly with your child's teacher and school.

Keystone Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Core Team

Several Keystone faculty and community members comprise the Olweus Core Committee. These individuals attended a two-day training in June 2008 to learn how to implement the Olweus program at Keystone. Members of the Core Committee include: Mrs. Shawn Corcetti, Mr. Shawn Kelly, Mrs. Michelle Clover, Mr. Gary Henry, Mrs. Vicki Cotton, Mrs. Nicole Gorog, Mrs. Barb Hurst, Miss Brandi Ritts, Mrs. Laura Hogue, Mrs. Jennifer Wingard, Mrs. Alayne Jacobs, and Mrs. Stacy Thompson. Core committee members trained the Keystone faculty, cafeteria staff, bus drivers, and teacher aides on the Olweus program.