We are pleased to introduce the Lower School bullying prevention
program, Building Respect and Responsibility (BRR). The BRR program
implemented the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP) curricular,
which is a researched-based bullying prevention model. The goals of BRR
are to improve the social climate of classrooms, prevent bullying
problems from occurring, and reduce any incidences of bullying. We also
believe BRR will foster increased respect and responsibility among our
students and further enrich our efforts toward character development.
This program gives students the tools they need to identify and report
bullying behavior when and if it occurs.
The core BRR committee
is made up of 5 teachers (1 from each grade level), 2 administrative
faculty members, a special areas teacher, and the lower school
counselor. One of the goals of the committee is to make Walker
teachers, staff, and other community members aware of the program and
how they, too, can address any current bullying behavior and further
prevent bullying from becoming a big problem at The Walker School. Most
recently the BRR committee held a staff training which was lead by Dr.
Patti Agatston, Cobb County Prevention leader and a certified Olweus
trainer. Several teachers participated in this staff training. Last
year's BRR coordinating committee held another training shortly
thereafter, where the remaining Lower School staff were trained using
the OBPP model. Since then, the Lower School held a kick-off assembly
and plans to make this an annual tradition. This year, the committee is
in the process of planning this weekly kick-off event beginning
November 9th. Students in 3rd-5th grades will also be participating in
a follow-up bullying questionnaire. Long-term goals include educating
parents and after-school program leaders about the program and include
them in further training.
For more information on bullying prevention, please visit the following websites:
http://www.clemson.edu/olweus/
http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov