BULLYING

Overview:

Bullying is one of the most serious issues facing educational institutions today. It can lead to school violence, a more negative school climate, and potential legal actions from parents. As a school administrator, you have the opportunity to address school bullying on all levels of a student’s experience. By leading your school or district in bullying prevention efforts, you can help create a safer, more positive learning environment.

Backed by thirty-five years of research and successful, worldwide implementation, the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is a long-term, system-wide program for change involving program components at four levels:

School-Level Components

• Establish a Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee.
• Conduct committee and staff trainings.
• Administer the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire schoolwide.
• Hold staff discussion group meetings.
• Introduce the school rules against bullying.
• Review and refine the school’s supervisory system.
• Hold a school kick-off event to launch the program.
• Involve parents.

Classroom-Level Components

• Post and enforce schoolwide rules against bullying.
• Hold regular class meetings.
• Hold meetings with students’ parents.

Individual-Level Components

• Supervise students’ activities.
• Ensure that all staff intervene on the spot when bullying occurs.
• Hold meetings with students involved in bullying.
• Hold meetings with parents of involved students.
• Develop individual intervention plans for involved students.

Community-Level Components

• Involve community members on the Bullying Prevention Coordinating Committee.
• Develop partnerships with community members to support your school’s program.
• Help to spread anti-bullying messages and principles of best practice in the community.

See the Seminars page for information about conferences and workshops: Bullying Seminars