Anti-bullying program works, educators say
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Several years ago, Woodland Hills High School was not a happy place. Students and teachers complained about incessant fighting and emerging gang activity, and 30 high school teachers were injured in one year when they broke student fights.
These days, the school has regained much of its pride. One source of the change: a surprisingly powerful anti-bullying program.
"Our students bought into the anti-bullying program as a way for them to take their building back, take back the whole culture of the school," said Kevin Murray, dean of students. "We fell on some rough times here -- kids didn't want to be here, didn't want to be a part of clubs or groups or sports -- and now they're proud to come here."
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, named for the psychologist who invented it in Norway in the 1980s, is now in place in more than 400 Pennsylvania schools. The program has expanded dramatically in recent years, thanks to a multi-million-dollar anti-bullying campaign from the Highmark Foundation.
Last week, Highmark released data from a study showing the effectiveness of the five-year Highmark initiative, which ends at the end of the month.
The study found that among students who participated in the Highmark-funded bullying prevention program, the percentage of those who say they bully others two or more times per month declined by 27 percent among elementary school students, 35 percent among middle school students and 31 percent for high school students between 2008 and 2010.
Highmark has spent between $9 million and $10 million directly on implementing the Olweus programs and an additional $10 million in anti-bullying public relations and outreach materials.
The hallmark of the program is a schoolwide approach to bullying, involving parents, students and staff members from the principal to the cafeteria workers. Regular meetings -- at weekly intervals for elementary school students -- ensures that the bullying emphasis stays constant.
Highmark gave grants to schools that ranged from $5,000 to $7,000 to pay for training and program implementation. Schools can tailor the basic program to meet their individual needs.
At Hyde Elementary School in the Moon Area School District, principal Joe Johnson has seen a dramatic decrease in student complaints about bullying in the two years that the Olweus program has been in effect.
"My referrals for discipline here in my elementary school have been cut 85 percent, and I'm not kidding you," he said. "It's made a world of difference in our school."
The program has evolved to the point where Mr. Johnson rarely even uses the term "bullying." He sees the issue generally as one in which students should strive to make each other feel good about themselves.
The school also uses the bullying framework as a jumping off point for general character education. Values that once were taught in families, at the kitchen table, now must be learned at school, said Joe Martonik, Olweus coordinator for the Moon Area School District.
Mr. Johnson recalled an incident in which two first- or second-graders were pushing other classmates down and telling them they couldn't ride on the swings unless given permission. Rather than reactively disciplining the students, Mr. Johnson "went more into the counseling part," asking them "why would you do that" and "if we had to turn the clock back, what would you do differently."
For Alisa King, elementary principal in the South Allegheny School District, the Olweus program's emphasis on the responsibility of bystanders who witness bullying has been particularly effective.
"It's given the kids the opportunity to become the problem solvers," she said. "There is no difference between the kid who commits the behavior and the kid who stands there and watches it happen. It's not tattling anymore -- it's standing up for what's right."
In the past, bullies were viewed as just "mean kids," she said. Now, teachers and administrators delve deeper to find out what in the child's life might be driving that behavior.
In the Seneca Valley School District, Haine Elementary was one of three schools in the country honored this year as an Olweus Bullying Prevention Quality Assurance Program, recognizing the school's commitment to the program.
The school has used data collected from its Olweus program to take a proactive approach to limit opportunities for bullying, such as changing the levels of supervision during recess.
At Woodland Hills High School, the anti-bullying program has become largely student-driven.
"Everyone beats down my door to get on the anti-bullying committee," said Mr. Murray, referring to a group of at least 25 juniors and 25 seniors who organize anti-bullying events.
Last school year, the high school students designed a skit in which the real-life star of the school musical bullies the school's real-life 6-foot-5, 290-pound football star for listening to Justin Bieber and performed it at the district's junior high school.
Highmark hasn't announced what its plans are for continued financial involvement in anti-bullying programs. The company said that it would do so early next year.
Even without funding from Highmark, school districts plan to continue their programs. At Hyde Elementary in Moon Area, the school has planned to replace some Highmark funding with money raised by its Parent Teacher Organization.
In Seneca Valley, at least one parent would be eager to help continue the program.
"It has brought some light onto issues that nobody ever thought about or considered," said Chris Sherry of Cranberry, the parent of a kindergartner and a sixth-grader in the district. From offhand comments that she hears her children making at home, she can tell that the anti-bullying lessons are sinking in.
"I hope that they continue it," she said. "I really think it's important."
First Published December 29, 2011 12:00 am
