“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” – Theodore Roosevelt

CVES uses the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. This research-based program reduces bullying in schools. It also helps to make school a safer, more positive place where students can learn. Although this program takes place at school, we need your help too. You can talk about bullying and our school’s anti-bullying rules at home with your child. We want to work with you to prevent and stop bullying from happening at our school.

Expectations:

1. We will not bully others.
2. We will try to help students who are bullied.
3. We will try to include students who are left out.
4. If we know that someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.

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 behavior involves an aggressive behavior, involves a pattern of behavior over time, and there is an imbalance of power or strength (physical or social). 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 (cyber-bullying).

What is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program?

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) prevents or reduces bullying in elementary, middle, and high schools). OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at school-wide, classroom, individual, and community levels.  Here 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 committee oversees the program.
• All students will follow the four anti-bullying rules listed above.
• Staff will make sure that all areas of our school where bullying is likely to occur are being watched.

In the Classroom:

• The four anti-bullying rules are taught in all classrooms.
• Class meetings are held where students talk about what bullying is.  Students learn why bullying should not happen. They will also learn to ask an adult for help if they see or experience bullying.
• School rules against bullying are posted and enforced.1. Stop the bullying.3. Name the behavior of the bullying student and refer to 4 anti-bullying rules.5. Impose immediate/appropriate consequences for bullying students.

On the spot interventions:

1. Stop the bullying.
2. Support student being bullied.
3. Name the behavior of the bullying student and refer to 4 anti-bullying rules.
4. Show appreciation to supportive students or give tips for supporting in the future.
5. Impose immediate/appropriate consequences for bullying students.
6. Take steps to protect the bullied student from future bullying.