1. 1 The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Paul Norton Elementary

2. 2 Program Components School-wide Individual Classroom Community © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

3. 3 The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program IS... Universal (a school-wide effort)Universal (a school-wide effort) Systems-oriented AND individual- orientedSystems-oriented AND individual- oriented Preventive AND problem-solvingPreventive AND problem-solving Focused on changing norms and behaviorFocused on changing norms and behavior Research-basedResearch-based NOT time-limited: Requires systematic efforts over timeNOT time-limited: Requires systematic efforts over time © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

4. 4 The Bullying Prevention Program IS NOT... curriculuma curriculum a conflict resolution approacha conflict resolution approach peer mediationa peer mediation program anger managementan anger management program © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

5. 5 “Bullying...” 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. © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

6. 6 Bullying implies an imbalance in power or strength. The student who is bullied has difficulty defending himself/herself. © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

7. 7 Indirect Bullying © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004 Getting another person to assault someoneGetting another person to assault someone Spreading rumorsSpreading rumors Deliberate exclusion from a group or activityDeliberate exclusion from a group or activity Cyber-bullyingCyber-bullying

8. 8 Direct Bullying Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting…Hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting… Taunting, teasing, degrading racial or sexual commentsTaunting, teasing, degrading racial or sexual comments Threatening, obscene gesturesThreatening, obscene gestures © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

9. 9 Effects of Bullying Immediate Effects Students who are bullied experience –Fear –Anxiety –Depression –Physical Symptoms –Poor performance in school

10. 10 Effects of Bullying Immediate Effects Students who bully others Have little empathy toward targets and their situations Gradually become more scornful of targets If no adult intervenes or rarely does so, it is perceived as a signal of silent approval of the activities leading to a negative class/school climate

11. 11 Effects of Bullying Long-term effects Students who are bullied Former targets of bullying were more likely to have trouble with poor self-esteem and depressive tendencies through age 23.

12. 12 Effects of Bullying Long-term effects Students who bully others Boys who are bullies during their school years have a higher risk than other boys for subsequently becoming involved in crime and alcohol abuse. For example, at the age of 24, former bullies had a level of relatively serious repeat crime that was 4X higher than boys who were not bullies during their school years.

13. 13 Goals of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program Reduce existing bully/victim problems among school childrenReduce existing bully/victim problems among school children Prevent the development of new bully/victim problemsPrevent the development of new bully/victim problems Improve peer relationsImprove peer relations Improve school climateImprove school climate © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

14. 14 Program Principles-- Warmth & Positive InterestWarmth & Positive Interest Involvement from adultsInvolvement from adults Adults acting as authorities and positive role modelsAdults acting as authorities and positive role models Firm limits and non-hostile and non-physical sanctionsFirm limits and non-hostile and non-physical sanctions It is critical to develop a school environment characterized by: © The Olweus Bullying Prevention Group, 2004

15. 15 On-the-spot Interventions 1.Stop the bullying 2.Support the target 3.Name the bullying behavior 4.Refer to the school rules 1.We will not bully others. 2.We will help students who are bullied. 3.We will include students who are easily left out. 4.When we know somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

16. 16 On-the-spot Interventions 5.Impose immediate consequences 6.Encourage the bystanders There are specific follow-up procedures we utilize as well, following such incidents. If an incident is reported to the teacher or staff member, they must investigate before following our procedures for reporting bullying.

17. 17 What happens? If a bullying incident occurs, and it is a child’s “first offense”, the situation will be addressed and the parent may or may not be contacted (it would depend upon the severity of the situation). If a child is involved in a bullying incident for a second time, a paper is sent home with the child to fill out and the parent is asked to sign and return the form to school. For a third offense, the child’s parent(s) will be asked to meet with Mrs. Trepa to complete a plan on how to extinguish the bullying behavior.