Olweus Bullying Prevention Program at Four Mile

What is it?

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is designed to improve peer relations and make schools safer, more positive places for students to learn and develop. Goals of the program include:

• reducing any existing bullying problems among students
• preventing the development of new bullying problems
• achieving better peer relations at school

How does it work?

The OBPP has core parts that are key in its implementation and success: clear anti-bullying rules and Class Meetings. Another key to its successful implementation is that teachers know how to recognize and handle bullying situations appropriately.

What are the anti-bullying rules?

At Four Mile, we merged the Olweus anti-bullying rules into the RAMS Way, so that students know that they are part of our school-wide expectations. They are the “WAY” in the RAMS Way.

W=We will not bully others.

A=Always help students who are bullied and include those who are left out.

Y=You must tell an adult if you know someone is being bullied.

What are class meetings?

Class meetings are a weekly occurrence (lasting anywhere from 15-45 minutes) during which students have the opportunity to share thoughts and feelings about various topics. Teachers act as a guide during these meetings, but the core of the discussion is done by the students. Class meeting topics can be about anything from bullying to friend conflicts to growth mindset and beyond. The topics can be student or teacher generated, depending on what is needed at the time. Class meetings are intended to build a safe and supportive community in the classroom where every student’s voice matters and is important.

September and October class meeting topics:

Current topics in class meetings have been centered around developing the class meeting expectations as well as discussing the anti-bullying rules. October was National Bullying Prevention Month and our focus at that time was to deliberately explain the anti-bullying rules at Four Mile (the WAY). We want to help students understand the difference between bullying, teasing, rude behavior, and conflicts. We also want them to have tools to handle ALL and feel comfortable reporting bullying when it happens. 

• Bullying=A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself. (Olweus definition) Often the person bullying doesn’t feel remorseful and enjoys the attention or power they receive in the process. The target will likely need help to stop the bullying from happening.
• Teasing=Teasing is a social exchange that can be friendly, neutral or negative. It happens sporadically and the target usually feels equipped to handle it if it is negative. The target may need help if their attempts at stopping negative teasing do not work.
• Rude behavior=Someone says or does something mean or rude once or twice because they are mad or trying to get your attention. Depending on the rude behavior, adult intervention might be needed.
• Conflict=A disagreement between two or more people that can result in a fight if not handled appropriately. Both people are usually upset and want to resolve the issue. If they take the time to listen to each other and try to understand what the other person wants/needs, solutions can quickly result. When conflicts turn into a fight, they can become difficult for students to solve on their own and may need adult help.

We want to empower students to solve problems that can be solved, but also know that help is available when they need it. Our goal is that ALL students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn every day that they walk through Four Mile’s doors.

Stay tuned for monthly updates on current “hot topics” for class meetings in your student’s grade!