• Dear BMP Ridge Street Families,

    The BMP Ridge Street School will be using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). This research-based program reduces bullying in schools.  It also helps to make school a safer, more positive place where students can learn. 

    The goals of the program are:

    • To reduce existing bullying problems among students
    • To prevent the development of new bullying problems
    • To achieve better peer relations at school

    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 in our school.

    OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at different levels. Here is what happens at each level:

    Schoolwide

    • Faculty and staff received a 6-hour training which discussed the program, how to use the program, and deal with bullying problems.  All faculty and staff were trained - custodians, bus drivers, teacher aides, teaching assistants, classroom teachers, Specials teachers, and Support staff.
    • Students in grades 3-5 completed a questionnaire which gave us information about the amount and type of bullying at our school.  This information was shared with our faculty and staff, as well as with parents at an Olweus Parent Meeting.
    • All students will follow these four anti-bullying rules:
      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 somebody is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
    • Faculty and 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 will be taught in all classrooms.
    • Class meetings will be held where students talk about what bullying is. Students will learn why bullying should not happen. They will also learn to ask an adult for help if they see or experience bullying.
    • Teachers will work to make the classroom a positive place for students.

    If you have any questions about this program, please contact your child’s primary classroom teacher, homeroom teacher, or guidance counselor.  It is very important that we work with you to prevent bullying.Thank you for your continued support,

    BMP Ridge Street Administration, Faculty, and Staff