ELEMENTARY OLWEUS BULLYING PREVENTION KICKOFF

The Lester Prairie Elementary School celebrated the elementary kickoff for the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program on Friday, January 10th.  Students in grades K-5 were brought into the gym for a large group presentation by LP Principal Jeremy Schmidt.  He discussed the four anti-bullying rules and also described how bullying can affect someone.  The students and staff then were in stations that included drawing a picture depicting one of the four anti-bullying rules, creating a cheer about being positive or standing up to bullies, and a re-enactment of the bullying circle. Schmidt discussed the process of planning a large scale K-5 event stating, "the members of the PBIS/Olweus team worked extremely hard to pull this off.  It also involved many high school students from the NHS and REACH Programs to provide support and supervision.  It really was a wonderful event for our entire school and turned out very well." 

The bullying circle station provided students with a perspective that the more students who stand up to a bully, the more difficult it can be to bully.  This station was presented by staff members who participated in a two day training with Jean Johnson from McLeod County who is a certified Olweus trainer and has worked with multiple schools in McLeod County.  The staff members included Jan Smith, Jen Brandel, Melinda Anderberg, Principal Schmidt, Ryan James, Christine Mattson, Sarah Wojcichowski and LP School Board Chair, and Police Chief, Robert Carlson.  

When asked about the days festivities, student responses were very positive.  "I liked when we did the cheers and learned how to stand up against bullying," one student responded.  Schmidt indicated the program will continue with the students throughout the school and the kick off for the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade will take place during school on January 28th.  Chief Carlson stated "this is a great opportunity for the students to remain positive," adding that, "students can use the approaches learned today as skills both in school and in the community, it is a great way for the school and community to increase their strong relationship, and students to feel safe and welcome throughout Lester Prairie."  Carlson summed up the learning process by saying, "it really comes down to treating other people the way you want to be treated," which is something some of the students discussed and learned about in the DARE program at school.  For more information on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program please check out the school website, monthly school newsletters, or contact the school directly.