Assistance

For

Elementary and Middle Schools

Included are the following:

Ø      License and scoring program for the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire      

            Ø      Some Program materials to help with implementation 

Funding for the resources has been provided by the Virginia Department of Health—Division of Injury and Violence Prevention received the federal grant.

For further information about accessing resources and contracting with a Certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Trainer/Consultant, contact Dr. Katie Moffett at cfmoffett@vcu.edu.

Information on the Olweus Model

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program offers a school-wide approach to bullying prevention through a blueprint that adapts to the existing structure of an elementary or middle school. The program includes interventions on four levels: school-wide, classroom, individual and community.

Principles of the program:

• Adults create an atmosphere of warmth and caring.
• Adults communicate that bullying is unacceptable, and respect is expected.
• A common definition of bullying is articulated:
  • “A student is being bullied when he or she is exposed repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more students.”

- Dan Olweus

• Bullying implies an imbalance of power (social, economic, physical, intellectual, etc)
• Positive rewards for respectful behavior and negative consequences for bullying behaviors are established.
• Regular Class Meetings provide opportunities for student discussion of social issues and for practice of pro-social skills.
• Adults meet individually with children who bully and with children who are targets of bullying.
• Social power is removed from bullying peers and reinvested in positive peers; students are empowered to stand up for one another.

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is an evidence-based, proven program recognized as a model program by the Blueprints for Violence Prevention, SAMHSA, OJJDP, and the USDOE. When faithfully replicated, the Olweus Program will reduce bullying school-wide and create a more positive learning environment.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Elements

School-Wide Elements

1.            Form a bullying prevention coordinating committee

2.          Train committee and all school personnel

3.          Administer Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire

4.          Develop school rules against bullying

·          We will not bully others.

·          We will try to help students who are bullied.

·          We will include students who are easily left out.

·          When we know somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult
at school and an adult at home.

5.          Increase supervision in “hot spots” for bullying

6.          Use consistent positive  and negative consequences

7.          Hold staff discussion groups

8.          Involve parents

9.          Hold school-wide “kick-off” events

Classroom Elements

1.            Post and discuss school rules

2.          Use consistent positive and negative consequences

3.          Hold regular classroom meetings

4.          Incorporate bullying themes across the curriculum

5.          Hold class-level parent meeting (whenever possible)

Individual Interventions

1.            Intervene on-the-spot when bullying occurs

2.          Hold follow-up discussions with children who have been bullied

3.          Hold follow-up discussions with children who bully

4.          Share information with staff

5.          Involve parents of children who are involved

Community Efforts

1.            Look for ways to engage the community in your school’s bullying prevention efforts.

2.          Examine strategies for spreading anti-bullying messages beyond
the school’s doors.