The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) prevents or reduces bullying in elementary, middle, and junior high schools (with students ages five to fifteen). OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at the schoolwide, classroom, individual, and community levels. Here is what happens at each level:

Schoolwide

• Teachers and staff will be trained to use the program and deal with bullying problems.
• A schoolwide committee will oversee the program.
• Students will complete a questionnaire to give us information about the amount and type of bullying at our school.
• All students will follow four GFPS Olweus Expectations:
  • We will treat others with kindness, empathy, and respect, treating others the way we want to be treated.
  • We will help students who are being harmed.
  • We will invite and include others who are left out.
  • We will tell an adult at school and an adult at home if we know that somebody is being harmed.
• Staff will make sure that all areas of our school where bullying is likely to occur are being watched.
• There may be schoolwide parent meetings and parent and student events.

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 use positive and negative consequences for following and not following the four anti-bullying rules.
• Teachers will work to make the classroom a positive place for students.

For Individuals Who Bully or Who Are Bullied

• Teachers and other staff will be trained to deal with bullying situations and the students involved.
• Students who bully others will be given consequences as soon as possible.
• Students who are bullied will be supported by staff. They will be told what action will be taken to end the bullying.
• Teachers and other staff will meet with the parents of students who bully and students who are bullied.

In the Community

• Our school will be looking for ways to develop partnerships with community members and carry the anti-bullying message community-wide.