The Allegheny Valley School District uses the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in its effort to decrease and eliminate bullying.  The program is school-wide and  designed to prevent or reduce bullying throughout the school setting. The multi-component approach involves individuals, classrooms, entire schools, as well as parents and communities, to successfully address bullying in schools.

Outcomes of the Program
Statistics show how successful implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program can reduce school bullying. Outcomes have included:

• Fifty percent or more reductions in student reports of being bullied and bullying others. Peer and teacher ratings of bullying problems have yielded similar results.
• Significant reductions in student reports of general antisocial behavior such as school bullying, vandalism, school violence, fighting, theft, and truancy.
• Significant improvements in the classroom social climate as reflected in students' reports of improved order and discipline, more positive social relationships, and more positive attitudes toward schoolwork and school.
• Greater support for students who are bullied, and stronger, more effective interventions for students who bully.

Other Benefits of the Program
The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program will also help you meet requirements for these federal mandates or programs that you may already be administering:

• Safe and Drug Free Schools
• School connectedness
• High-stakes testing
• Juvenile delinquency prevention
• School drop-out prevention
• School health programs
• Suicide prevention
• Promotion of developmental assets
• No Child Left Behind
• Character education
• Behavior supports

For additional information on the Olweus Program, please visit their web site.

Allegheny Valley School District Bullying Policy #249
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