Supporting a Positive Environment
At all levels in the district, we have programs to support a positive environment and respond to complaints in a thorough and collaborative way. Specific to the Dignity Act, one of our new initiatives is the introduction of the Olweus Program for elementary and middle school students. Teachers will be trained and the program will be implemented in the 2012-13 school year. The following information briefly describes the program:
Olweus Bullying Prevention Program ,OBPB
http://www.violencepreventionworks.org
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program with the purpose of improving peer relations and making the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program is designed for students in elementary and middle schools. All students participate in most aspects of the program, while students identified as bullying others, or as targets of bullying, receive additional individualized interventions.
The goals of the program are to:
- Reduce existing bullying problems among students
- Prevent the development of new bullying problems
- Achieve better peer relations at school
Training includes school administrators as well as every adult involved in overseeing, planning, and implementing the program, including:
- Dignity Act Coordinators
- Committee members
- Teachers
- Substitute teachers
- School resource officers
- After-school program providers
- Counselors
- Support staff
- Playground supervisors and aides
- Bus drivers
- Cafeteria workers
- Custodial staff
- Parents