OBPP Overview Penn London Elementary School Olweus Committee

OBPP Overview Penn London Elementary School Olweus Committee: Dr. Holland, Suzanne Magee, Helen Arrell, Sheri Inzaina, Joanne Engel, Sue Gudmundson, Jackie Bruno, Aly Fegley, Margaret Bodine, Alex Brescia, Theresa Hamilton, Michael Harrison and parent: Debbie Groft

This Presentation Will. . . • Provide an overview of the issue of bullying • Provide an overview of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program • Identify the resources available to help you implement the program © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 2

Olweus Definition of 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. ” OBPP Teacher Guide, p. xii © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 3

“Bullying is peer abuse. ” Dan Olweus © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U.

Three Key Components of Bullying Behavior 1. Involves an aggressive behavior 2. Typically involves a pattern of behavior repeated over time 3. Involves an imbalance of power or strength © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 5

Types of Bullying Direct Indirect • hitting • rumors • taunting • exclusion •

Why address bullying? • For students and their futures • • • (mental & physical health) For a healthy school climate (academic achievement) For the larger community Risk management for schools It’s a wise investment It’s the law © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 7

Effects of Being Bullied • Lower self-esteem • Depression & anxiety • Absenteeism & lowered school achievement • Thoughts of suicide • Illness © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 8

Concerns about Children Who Bully Children who bully are more likely to: –Get into frequent fights –Be injured in a fight –Steal, vandalize property –Drink alcohol, smoke –Be truant, drop out of school –Report poorer academic achievement –Perceive a negative climate at school –Carry a weapon © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 9

Effects of Bullying on Bystanders • Bystanders may feel: –Afraid –Powerless to change the situation –Guilty for not acting –Diminished empathy for bullied students over time © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 10

Effects of Bullying on School Climate • Creates a climate of fear and disrespect • Interferes with student learning • Students may feel insecure and not like school as well • Students may perceive a lack of control/caring from adults © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 11

Percentage of Students Bullied 2 -3 times/month or more (Limber et al. , 2013) 4% 13% 3% 80% Students in Grades 3 -12 • 20% of students were directly involved in bullying: – 16% had been bullied – 7% had bullied others Bullied others Were bullied Bullied others and were bullied Not involved © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 12

Girls’ and Boys’ Experiences with Being Bullied 2 -3 times/month or more (Limber et al. , 2013) 30% 25% 20% Girls 23% Boys 22% 20% 18% 21% 19% 15% 17% 15% 18% 13% 16% 14% 10% 13% 11% 11% 10% 9% 11 th 12 th 5% 0% 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th Grade level © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 13

Girls’ and Boys’ Experiences with Bullying Others 2 -3 times/month or more (Limber et al. , 2013) 20% Girls Boys 15% 9% 10% 6% 5% 4% 6% 5% 7% 5% 10% 11% 9% 7% 6% 5% 5% 3% 0% 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th 10 th 11 th 12 th Grade level © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 14

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program • First systematic research on bullying conducted in early 1970 s. • OBPP part of Norway’s national campaign against bullying in early 1980 s. • The most-researched and best-known bullying prevention program available today. © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 15

OBPP is. . . • a systems change program • designed for all students (K-12) • preventive and responsive • focused on changing norms and restructuring the school setting • research-based © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 16

OBPP is not. . . • curriculum (a set of lessons to teach) • conflict resolution or peer mediation • classroom management technique • anger management program • suicide prevention program • short term effort (1 or 2 years) © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 17

Goals of OBPP • To reduce existing bullying problems among students • To prevent the development of new bullying problems • To achieve better peer relations at school © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 18

Program Principles 1. Adults in school need to show warmth, positive interest, and involvement. 2. Set firm limits for unacceptable behavior. 3. Consistently use nonphysical, nonhostile negative consequences when rules are broken. 4. Adults in the school should act as authorities and positive role models. © 2014 Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, U. S. www. clemson. edu/olweus 19