Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District
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Olweus Bullying Prevention Program
“Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Dapplegray Elementary School and Silver Spur Elementary School are piloting the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) in the 2025-26 school year. This research-based program reduces bullying in schools. It also helps to make school a safer, more positive place where students can learn. Although this program takes place at school, we need your help too. You can talk about bullying and our school’s anti-bullying rules at home with your child. We want to work with you to prevent and stop bullying from happening in our schools.
OBPP Expectations:
- We will not bully others.
- We will try to help students who are bullied.
- We will try to include students who are left out.
- If we know that someone is being bullied, we will tell an adult at school and an adult at home.
What is the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program?
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) prevents or reduces bullying IN schools. OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at school-wide, classroom, individual, and community levels. Here is what happens at each level:
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) prevents or reduces bullying IN schools. OBPP is not a curriculum, but a program that deals with bullying at school-wide, classroom, individual, and community levels. Here is what happens at each level:
School-wide:
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- Teachers and staff are trained to use the program and deal with bullying problems.
- A school-wide committee oversees the program.
- All students will follow the four anti-bullying rules listed above.
- Staff will make sure that all areas of our school where bullying is likely to occur are being watched.
In the Classroom:
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- The four anti-bullying rules are taught in all classrooms.
- Class meetings are held where students talk about what bullying is. Students learn why bullying should not happen. They will also learn to ask an adult for help if they see or experience bullying.
- School rules against bullying are posted and enforced.
On the spot interventions:
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- Stop the bullying.
- Support the student being bullied.
- Name the behavior of the bullying student and refer to 4 anti-bullying rules.
- Show appreciation to supportive students or give tips for supporting in the future.
- Impose immediate/appropriate consequences for bullying students.
- Take steps to protect the bullied student from future bullying.
DEFINING BULLYING
What is 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. Bullying behavior involves a pattern of aggressive behavior developing over time, and there is an imbalance of power or strength (physical or social). Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, verbal harassment, spreading false rumors, not letting someone be part of the group, and sending hurtful messages on a cell phone or over the internet (cyber-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. Bullying behavior involves a pattern of aggressive behavior developing over time, and there is an imbalance of power or strength (physical or social). Bullying can take many forms, such as hitting, verbal harassment, spreading false rumors, not letting someone be part of the group, and sending hurtful messages on a cell phone or over the internet (cyber-bullying).
Is it bullying?
When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s rude.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s mean.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they keep doing it - even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset – that’s bullying.
When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s rude.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, that’s mean.
When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they keep doing it - even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset – that’s bullying.
OLWEUS BULLYING QUESTIONNAIRE
The first step is to administer the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire to students in grades 3-5. This anonymous survey is optional and provides valuable insights into student experiences and helps us strengthen our prevention efforts. Although only students in grades 3-5 have the opportunity to participate in the survey, the information we gather from this survey will help us customize this program for all students in grades TK-5 for the 2025-26 school year. Student participation in the Olweus Bullying Questionnaire is voluntary, and we will gather parent permission before they can take part.
📌 Who takes it? Students in grades 3-5.
📌 How long does it take? Approximately 30 minutes, completed during school hours.
📌 Is it anonymous? Yes, no identifying information is collected.
📌 Why is it important? The results help us tailor our efforts to ensure a safe and respectful school environment.
📌 How long does it take? Approximately 30 minutes, completed during school hours.
📌 Is it anonymous? Yes, no identifying information is collected.
📌 Why is it important? The results help us tailor our efforts to ensure a safe and respectful school environment.
Exact questions can be found here.
PARENT INFORMATION
A parent information session was held on Tuesday, March 4th, 2025 at 6pm. A recording of the information session can be viewed by clicking the following link: Olweus Parent Information Session
MORE INFORMATION
To find more information about the OBPP, please visit their website here.
If you have any further questions about the OBPP, please contact Eliza Santarosa, Counselor on Special Assignment, at [email protected]