 | MESPA Home > MN Bullying Prevention Initiative & Bookstore | | | MESPA MN Bullying Prevention Initiative | | MESPA, the Hazelden Foundation, and the National Association of Elementary School Principals are partners in the comprehensive statewide Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative.
Bullying is a serious issue that affects students’ health, the school climate, academic achievement, and school liability. According to the 2007 Minnesota Student Survey, 29 percent of students reported they had been bullied once a week or more often, and 55 percent of sixth grade students reported having been teased or excluded by others in the past month. In the 2006-2007 school year, there were 857 incidents of bullying resulting in out-of-school suspension or expulsion.
OLWEUS® BULLYING PREVENTION PROGRAM
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) is a whole school program that has been proven to prevent or reduce bullying throughout a school setting.
The Hazelden Foundation is the leading publisher of evidence-based prevention programs and the exclusive publisher of the OBPP, the most researched and best-known program of its kind. OBPP has over 35 years of research and successful implementation all over the world. Many schools that have used the program have seen reductions in bullying behavior by 50 percent or more.
OBPP is used at the school, classroom, and individual levels and includes methods to reach out to parents and the community for involvement and support. School administrators, teachers, school social workers, and other staff are primarily responsible for introducing and implementing the program. These efforts are designed to improve peer relations and make the school a safer and more positive place for students to learn and develop.
What Are the 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.
For Whom is OBPP Designed?
OBPP is designed for students in elementary, middle, and junior high schools (students age five to fifteen years old). All students participate in most aspects of the program, while students identified as bullying others, or as targets of bullying, receive additional individualized interventions.
Is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program a Nationally Recognized Program?
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program has received recognition from a number of organizations including:
- Blueprints Model Program, Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, University of Colorado at Boulder
- Model Program, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Effective Program, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U.S. Department of Justice
Level 2 Program, U.S. Department of Education ("Level 2" programs have been scientifically demonstrated to prevent delinquency or reduce risk and enhance protection for delinquency and other child and youth problems.
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Olweus_Facts_2.pdf
A two-page fact sheet introducing the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
olweus_frequently_asked_questions.pdf
A comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions (with answers) about bullying and bullying prevention.
MESPA_Olweus_Scope_and_Sequence.pdf
In-depth scope and sequence information on the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
MESPA_Hazelden_Order_Form.pdf
ORDER BULLYING QUESTIONNAIRES with this MESPA Hazelden order form. This form also may be used for ordering Olweus and other bullying prevention materials -- or go to the online MESPA Bullying Prevention Initiative Bookstore.
Stimulus_Funding_and_OBPP.pdf
13-page Hazelden Foundation report outlining possibiities in seeking ARRA funding for Olweus program materials.
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| MESPA MN Bullying Prevention Bookstore | Visit MESPA's Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative Bookstore to purchase evidence-based programs materials for your school.
Or use the MESPA Olweus Order Form at the bottom of this page -- and fax your order to MESPA at 651-999-7311. Checks payable to Hazelden. OR contact Steven Manganiello at Hazelden for guidance in determining which materials to purchase, or quotes on the potential cost of the program for your school: 651-213-4688, 1-800-328-9000, ext 4688; smanganiello@hazelden.org
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| Bullying Prevention Training | Training is available for your school today! MESPA has contracted with Certified Olweus Trainers to guide schools who purchase the program. For information on bringing a trainer to your school contact Steve Manganiello at Hazelden: 651-213-4688, 1-800-328-9000, ext 4688; smanganiello@hazelden.org
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| Questions? | Like to talk with a colleague who has experience using the
Olweus program? Here are a few of the many principals
statewide who are using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and who
would be happy to answer your questions. Lorene Force,
Dassel-Cokato, 320-286-4100, ext. 1304 Michelle Krell, Waseca,
507-835-2248
Warren
Retzlaff, Chisago Lakes, 651-213-2301 Joe Thimm, Chisago
Lakes, 651-213-2100
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| Associated Press, March 3 | U.S. survey finds sharp decline in children's bullying due to bullying prevention programs.“There
is evidence these programs are effective...” One
of the largest of these initiatives is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program,
which has been implemented in several thousand U.S. schools.
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| Bullying: What Can MN Schools Do About It? |
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| | "MESPA, the elementary and middle level principals of Minnesota, is the group that should lead the way in Minnesota bullying prevention," said P. Fred Storti, MESPA executive director. "Hazelden and Olweus are the gold standard in evidence-based bully prevention programs. Principals play a vital role in creating a positive school culture."
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| Funding Resources | For guidance in writing grants or seeking Peace Maker Foundation or stimulus funding, visit the Funding Tool Kit.
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| What is bullying? and What is Olweus? | The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program states: A person is bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more persons, and he or she has difficulty defending himself or herself.For detailed information about bullying, bullying prevention, and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, scroll to the Frequently Asked Questions below, and check out the short videos testifying to the program's merits and success.
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